KENTUCKY, USA — It might very well be the last thing you would expect to find in Kentucky.
Bernheim Forest, 25 miles south of Louisville, is one of the nation's most unique intersections of art, nature and science. It is a place where parents can spark their child's imagination with a 17-acre natural playground and 40 miles of trails.
In 1928, Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, a wealthy whiskey distiller, bought the land at a dollar an acre. An architectural firm began designing the park in 1931, and in 1950, it finally opened, given to the people of Kentucky in trust but privately owned.
Dr. Mark Wourms is the executive director here.
"When (Bernheim) set this up, he said, 'I want this to be accessible to all people, regardless of race, creed or economic status.' I mean, that is visionary, and that he was philanthropic with land was also a vision at that time because that is what Rockefeller and others were doing the same thing," Wourms said.
The area of land is staggering, and keeping the integrity of the area pure is a big job.
"The wonderful part of having 16,000 acres is you have all this beautiful habitat, and when it is contiguous, it actually cares for itself. There is less invasive species, there is less marauding by whatever, and so it cares for itself," Wourms said. "Now, the arboretum, which is 600 acres, is a huge challenge for plant collections; is where you get invasive species. We love the public. We get 300,000 guests a year, but that means there is also wear and tear, litter and those kinds of things. I am happy to say, our guests are really well-behaved."
That is good because so much of the property is designed to be accessed by children.
"Natural outdoor play is important in childhood development. It is good for creativity. It is good for mental health. It is good for social interactions, and it is good for understanding risk. We literally look at this place as a lifelong circle of learning, a lifelong circle of loving nature," Wourms said.
It is also a place to love art and discover it in new and perhaps different forms. For instance, the nationally known sculptor Paul Fields, who was Bernheim's first artist in residence 44 years ago, has his work prominently displayed here, and since he never named his pieces, many guests have taken their hand at giving his sculptures' names. Many of his stone and wood abstracts can still be enjoyed on the property. It is important to the caretakers that guests here get that triple dose of nature and art but also science.
Chuck's Big Adventure in Kentucky: Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Wourms feels that mission is as important now as it was 95 years ago. From a bamboo symphony of chimes to Giants in the Forests, to ethereal pieces in the middle of trees, placing these works here involves some heavy-duty calculations.
For instance, a stainless-steel ring gives visitors a sense of the Earth’s size in the middle of this private forest.
"The ring represents the Earth if 200 miles were compressed into one inch. If you looked at the thickness of the stainless-steel ring, that is the thickness of the atmosphere on the Earth," Wourms said.
Bernheim has 91 miles of streams, 40 miles of trails for hiking, art, design, fun for kids, and no interstates, loud noises or urban sprawl. It’s a place all about discovery, appreciation of art and nature and most of all...peace.
The weather doesn't matter here. In fact, the saying among staff is that there isn't bad weather, only bad clothing. Bernheim Forest is the kind of destination that will bring you something new every time you visit.
It is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
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