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It was a homecoming nearly four decades in the making. The Parkland Library reopened on February 27, 2025.
“It’s extremely exciting. I’m really, really glad to be able to provide services to this community that really needs it,” said Branch Manager Natalie Woods.
Louisville Water was thrilled to help celebrate the brand-new library with the neighborhood that has been thirsty for its own Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) branch for many, many years. Built in 1908, the Parkland Library closed in 1986 due to budget cuts. The community wanted to write a new chapter and worked with local leaders and LFPL to reopen the branch.
Fast forward to March 1, 2025, and families from all different zip codes filled the Parkland Library. The “Family Fun Day” featured a dance party, a magician, a balloon artist, the Stormtroopers, a violin concert from the West Louisville Talent Education Center, and our favorite mascot, Tapper!
“It was exciting to see the kids and even adults light up when they saw Tapper,” said Louisville Water Communications Specialist Kathleen Speicher. “But even more fulfilling for me was to see how excited the kids were walking up to the checkout desk with a stack of books, using the computers, and filling up their reusable bottles with Louisville Pure Tap® at the water fountains.”
The building boasts some modern architecture and amenities, but guests will notice original bricks and columns mixed throughout the space.
While it was bittersweet for Woods to leave the Western Library (the first free public library for Black people in America), she is looking forward to what the future holds for Parkland.
“Coming here gives me the opportunity to serve my direct neighborhood because I live within this area,” she shared, adding, “Come check us out, we’d love to see you!”
Tapper presented Woods with a copy of Tapper’s Big Adventure: Where’s the Water? to add to the library collection. Visitors left with Louisville Water bookmarks, pencils, and Tapper tattoos.
