McNeely Lake Park — Attraction in Louisville

One of my favorite parks to visit despite some of the negatives.

Cons -- • No bathrooms anymore. Anyway, they were absolutely horrible when they were open. • People tend to trash much of the park (including the lake) after events and during fishing & choose not to clean up after themselves. Everyone is responsible for the park's cleanliness, not just Louisville Metro. • Sadly, this park attracts a lot of trouble particularly at night/very early morning, and I'd probably never go alone as a young woman.

Pros -- • I do see Louisville Metro regularly trying to clean and maintain the park. • The cat colony is fun to visit, and they are protected, cared for, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered by Louisville Metro & Alley Cat Advocates, which means no, they do not spread disease. • The park is genuinely beautiful and big with nice, long trails and diverse bird and plant species. I've picked mulberries here to enjoy 😋 • Two playground sites for kiddos, a little library to browse, basketball and tennis courts, and a Korean...

It's a small park close to home. It has 3 shelters and only a couple of small trails that are not well maintained. The only bathroom is dirty and old. It appears to be welded shut. There are two playgrounds which have been improved. By the main entrance on Price Ln. There is also a fenced in tennis court and a basketball court which is usually busy. There is a second part of it that used to have a horse barn and trails off of East Manslick Rd. The trails there aren't well maintained and can be very muddy at times. We do like running there because it's not used by many people. There is an remote control airplane field and a soccer field and small park there. I hear they will join the two parks with a bridge over the dam area to accommodate the bike/walking trail that will connect with the Louisville Loop in...

I recently visited McNeely Lake and was taken aback by its natural beauty. The calm water, surrounded by lush greenery and the serene presence of ducks gliding across the lake, created an incredibly peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Whether you’re strolling along the edge or fishing, it’s a perfect spot to unwind.

However, one thing that did dampen the experience was the litter scattered around — particularly soda caps and other small trash items. It was disheartening to see such a lovely place not being respected. I tried picking up what I could, but there’s clearly a need for better upkeep or community awareness. Despite that, the lake’s charm is undeniable. With just a little more care, Lake McNeil could be an ideal escape...