LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – What began as a celebration of fundraising efforts and newly completed renovations at the Chickasaw Park tennis courts on Saturday afternoon turned into an even grander occasion with the announcement of a surprise $5 million donation.
Leaders from Louisville, the Parks department, and the West Louisville Tennis Club gathered to mark the occasion. However, all but a few were unaware of the gift until it was revealed.
When asked about the identity of the donor, the Conservancy’s President/CEO said it was intended to be completely anonymous.
“They wish to be known as a Louisvillian who loves the parks, and they wanted to inspire others to make generous gifts because parks impact so many people’s lives,” Mary Grissom said.
Chickasaw Park holds a significant place in the history of West Louisville and the Black Community.
Established in 1924, it was the only city park offering full amenities for African Americans during the segregation era. Since then, it has continued to serve as a vital community hub and gathering place for generations.
West Louisville Tennis Club president Dr. Aretha Fuqua said the announcement meant a new chapter for the organizations that help the park community thrive.
“It’s huge, it’s transformational,” she said. “And it’s gonna be wonderful because when we have amenities that are safe and healthy, we have an opportunity to expand our programming.”
The $5 million gift, facilitated through the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, will fund a variety of improvements. These include upgrades to the playground, sprayground, and river view areas.
The plans also encompass extensive landscaping, tree restoration, the installation of commemorative benches, and crucial infrastructure upgrades.
While the park looks towards a future of enhancements, the project intends to honor its century-long history. A new sign recognizes the historic tennis club, whose influence has extended into the community for decades.
On it, a photo is displayed, showing Muhammad Ali proudly standing next to a few of the club’s members.
Colleen Todd, shown beside Ali in the picture, shared her joy to be memorialized in West Louisville’s history after decades of participation in the tennis club.
“A lot of people need to come down to this park,” Todd said. “It’s a beautiful park. And this monument put here today has just made me very, very happy and proud.”
The sign is one of the ways the park hopes to honor the efforts of individuals like Colleen Todd and Dr. Aretha Fuqua, who hope to extend a sense of community and belonging to future generations enjoying Chickasaw Park.
“I’m just proud,” Fuqua added. “I’m just proud just to be in this position, and to be able to make a difference in this community, because you hear so much negative press, but in Chickasaw Park, it’s all good. It’s all good.”
In addition to updating many of the parks’ amenities, the Olmstead Foundation wants to hear the community’s ideas for new projects to help build on the future of the parks. To do that, they have formed a committee of community leaders to help get the public’s suggestions to park and city officials.
Restoration is expected to begin in 2026.