The vote on whether Cherokee Park’s scenic loop will reopen to car traffic takes place today at Louisville Metro Council's 6 p.m. meeting. According to a survey from Louisville Parks and Recreation, citizens remain split on what to do.

Cherokee Park's main feature is the 2.3-mile Scenic Loop, with separate lanes for vehicle traffic + recreational users. | Photo by @drdanielginn

Here are 5 things to know about the issue.

🌳 Cherokee Park has been closed to vehicle traffic since the onset of COVID-19 last year, in a move the city made to minimize gatherings + maximize social distancing among people exercising in the park. Chickasaw + Iroquois Parks were closed to vehicular traffic as well.

🌳 The City Parks Committee of Louisville Metro Council voted on the issue Tuesday, where the majority were in favor of reopening the park to car traffic. If the full council — which votes on the issue today — is also in favor, cars could soon reappear in the park.

🌳 In June this year, the city reopened 2 sections of the park: Eastern Parkway + Cherokee Road, with an exit at Barret Hill Road or Dingle Road. Car access on the other side of the park, near Rugby Field and Cochran Hill Road, reopened as well.

🌳 Louisville Parks and Recreation’s survey on what to do with the scenic loop found nearly 70% of respondents were in favor of permanently closing the park to vehicle traffic — and believed that the park would feel safer without car traffic + less noise from automobiles. 🌳 Those who oppose closing the park to vehicle traffic, like Metro Disability Coalition President Marcellus Mayes, cite accessibility issues.

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