E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park

Description

Top Five Things To Do

1. Test your skills at the only outdoor public archery range in Louisville.
2. Take a dip in the largest public outdoor swimming pool and splash park in Louisville.
3. Take a hike along the shaded Goose Creek Nature Trail.
4. Ride on only 1 of 6 Supercross BMX tracks in the Nation.
5. Join an interpreter for a guided hike or educational program.

A 554-acre oasis on the outskirts of Louisville, the rolling fields that were once farmland are now the site of some of the finest indoor and outdoor recreation facilities in Kentucky. Stop by for a swim, play a round of tennis or bring your pet to the dog park!

Park Grounds
Open all year.
Park closes daily at 10 p.m. Park opens daily at dawn. Trails and some access points are subject to close daily at dusk.

Pool & Splash Pad - CLOSED
For the safety and security of our patrons, children under the age of 18 must have a responsible, paid adult present at all times. Call the pool house for more information at 502-429-7270.
Credit and Cash accepted.
• Ages 18 & up: $10 weekdays; $12 weekends
• Ages 3-17: $8 weekdays; $10 weekends
• Ages 2 & under: FREE

Meetings, Weddings, Pool Parties
With more than 5,720 square footage of space, the Sawyer Hayes Community Center can entertain up to 200 people depending on your event. For information and availability on the Sawyer Hayes Community Center call 502-245-2296 or CLICK HERE. Poolside birthday parties are when the pool is open. Pool party package includes four picnic tables on the upper deck all day plus 20 wristbands for swimming. $190/ day. Call 502-429-7270 for information on hosting a birthday party at the pool!

Things to Do
Dog Park
Sawyer Dog Park was the first official off-leash dog park in our community. Sawyer Dog Park is located in the northeast corner of the park property across Freys Hill Road from the main park entrance. The park spans across approximately six acres and is divided into three two-acre areas: one for small dogs (dogs under 30 pounds) and two for all dogs. Membership to the Louisville Dog Run Association is required to enter the dog park. For more information on the Louisville Dog Run Association, please visit www.louisvilledogs.com.

Astronomy
The Louisville Astronomical Society (LAS), established in 1933, is dedicated to promoting astronomy to the people of Greater Louisville. LAS created an astronomy center right here at the park where they host free monthly Star Parties. You can gaze through their telescopes at the planets and stars or bring your own for a lesson. The facilities include a classroom where LAS conducts space programs for all ages. They are also available for group events. For Star Party dates and other information, visit their website, http://louisville-astro.org.

Orienteering
Orienteering is a sport in woods navigation where a person uses a map and compass to complete a course. It can be done by yourself or with your family. It is a great way to spend part of the day discovering new parts of the park! E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park offers a 4.2 km permanent orienteering course featuring 10 controls (check points) in a mixed forest and park-like setting. Orienteering maps are available in the Rec Building.

Archery
The range has target distances of 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards and 10 and 15 meters. It is free and open to the public. Only field tipped arrows are allowed to be used at the Archery Range. Group archery lessons are available for your scout troop, civic organization, or business. Lessons are offered in Spring & Fall. Our instructors are National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Certified. Call for information about leagues and tournaments! Contact the Recreation Department at 502-429-7270 or email Andrew.spence@ky.gov for more information, pricing, and availability.

Badminton
The Activities Building has a large gym with four badminton courts. The space is available for Badminton use Wednesday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Participants need to bring their own equipment. Fee is $5.00/player. For rental information, please contact the Recreation Office at 502-429-7270.

Basketball
We have a full court outdoor basketball court across the road from the Activities Building open from dawn to dusk. Our gymnasium is available for rent starting at $75.00/hr. Call the Recreation Office at 502-429-7270 for more information on basketball and gym rental opportunities.

Birding
Many of our year round residents are easily found throughout the winter months, including chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, cardinals, sparrows, robins, and woodpeckers. The neotropical migrants are found in the park during the spring and summer. A special treat is to hear and possibly see the mating flights of the American Woodcock. Simply go out at dusk any evening in March near one of the brushy fields (by Hurstbourne parking lot is best)and you will start to hear the single raspy “peent” calls of the staging males. Suddenly, a male takes flight while giving a continuous series of chirps and twitters as it climbs in a large spiral to a height of several hundred feet. It will return in a series of swooping dives, still chirping away, to land within a few feet of where it started. This show will repeat for about half an hour after dusk. Some of the more common birds you will see are cardinals, tufted titmice, robins, chickadees, and Carolina wrens. Bring your list of birds or get a bird list from the Recreation Office.

BMX
The park features a BMX track that is considered one of the best in the country and hosts the National BMX Grand Championships every Labor Day Weekend. All riders must wear protective gear and comply with park and track rules. Derby City BMX holds races here Wednesdays and Saturdays from early spring through the fall months. The track is open from March 1 - October 31 and is open to the public when races are not being held. There is a fee for racing. Visit www.derbycitybmx.org.

Community Gardening
These gardens are available to the public at a cost of $40 for a 20’ x 20’ plot or $15 for a raised bed for the season. Gardening is an excellent way for exercise, eating healthy, socializing, and learning. For more information, please call the Recreation Office at 502-429-7270 or email vanessa.poling@ky.gov.

Hiking
The 1-mile fitness trail is a crushed limestone, level grade trail with 10 exercise stations. The 1.25- mile Goose Creek nature trail meanders through open meadow habitat to a semi-wooded area along Goose Creek. The loop trail is an easy grade trail. This trail is only open to hikers. Bicycles are not allowed on the trail. There is an additional trail near Shelter 3 which leads to the park’s vernal pond. Please visit the Recreation Office for an informational guide to the vernal pond. All trails are open year-round. Please stay on main trails to reduce erosion problems in the park.

Pickleball
We have 16 outdoor pickleball courts that are free and open to the public 7 a.m. to dusk daily and courts can be reserved for a fee. We will offer indoor pickleball play in the winter months for $5/per person. Please contact the Recreation Office at 502-429-7270 or email eptompickleball@ky.gov for more information on pricing, leagues, and availability.

Picnicking
There are three picnic shelters for public use. This area is a first come first serve basis, unless marked as reserved. For more information on Picnic Shelter reservations CLICK HERE. Foodservice for events is available through Fun Food Kitchen and Deli at funfoodkitchenanddeli@gmail.com.

• Shelter 1 is located near the main parking lot next to the playground. Included with the rental is a sand volley ball court. It has two attached restrooms, grill and space to accommodate 100 people.

• Shelter 2 is located near the main parking lot to the right of the Activities Building. It has a grill, portable restrooms, and space to accommodate up to 80-100 people. It also includes a sand volley ball court.

• Shelter 3 is located near the Sawyer Hayes Center on the back of the park. It has indoor restrooms and space to accommodate up to 50 people.

Model Airplane Flying
Also of interest is a radio-controlled airfield. The runway (400 feet long, 35 feet wide) may be used by all pilot members of the River City Remote Controllers. Open 10 AM to dusk daily, except for dates reserved for contests. Open year-round. Membership is required before using the airfield. For more information call 502-930-5753 or CLICK HERE!

Playgrounds
The park has two playgrounds. One near Picnic shelter number 1, and another near the dog park.

Soccer
The park has 14 soccer fields. Leagues and clinics are offered for various ages and levels of competition on these fields. Fall and Spring Leagues are run by the Sawyer Youth Soccer Association. For information regarding registration visit their website at http://www.sawyeryouthsoccer.com

Softball
For information on Softball field availability, please contact Derby City Sports on Facebook or call 502-639-7777.

Tennis
The park's 6 tennis courts are open 7 a.m. to dusk daily and open to the public. Court Rentals: courts can be rented for a fee up to six months in advance. Please contact the Recreation Office at 502-429-7270 for more information, pricing & availability.