Area 17 ha Established February 17, 1982 | Phone +1 502-573-2886 | |
 | ||
Location Louisville, Kentucky, United States Governing body Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission Address 4700 Middle Creek Rd, Burlington, KY 41005, USA Similar Tom Dorman State Nat, Blackacre Nature Preserve, Joe Creason Park, Fishtrap Lake State Park, Tygarts State Forest | ||
Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve is a 41-acre (17 ha) nature preserve in Louisville, Kentucky's Poplar Level neighborhood, in roughly the central portion of the city. It is named for Beargrass Creek, the south fork of which passes along the northern side of the preserve. The preserve is adjacent to Louisville's Joe Creason Park and the Louisville Nature Center. It is owned by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission and the LNC assists with management.
The preserve includes 2 miles (3.2 km) of walking trails, which cross wetlands and a ridge top. There are also 180 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. It is managed by the Louisville Nature Center, which is located on the west side of the preserve in a building which opened in 1997. The center claims it is "one of the largest inner-city nature preserves" in the United States. The preserve and nature center run on about a $90,000 annual budget, and in May 2007 reported about $100,000 in operational debt.
In 1982, the State Nature Preserves Commission purchased a 41-acre (17 ha) wooded tract that became the preserve. It was a part of the Collings estate (which became Joe Creason Park) that had been acquired by the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1960.