Derby party to benefit Greenway

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April 30, 2012

Derby party to benefit Greenway

NEWS AND TRIBUNE newsroom@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Mon Apr 30, 2012, 07:46 PM EDT

JEFFERSONVILLE — Derby time excitement comes to Jeffersonville Thursday, courtesy of Friends of the Ohio River Greenway’s first-ever Turf Party.

Local band Lefty and the Lunatics will supply the tunes for the event which takes place at 7 p.m. at Cluckers, 100 Riverside Drive.

The chicken restaurant has created a special drink for the occasion — Sex on the Greenway.

A tax-deductible $5 donation is suggested. Prizes will be awarded and there will be plenty of food and drink on hand, according to a press release from Friends of the Greenway.

The Turf Party was conceived after Hoosier hoteliers noted Derby guests would like some local entertainment options. Greenway friends were happy to oblige, while also rolling out the welcome mat for locals and building widespread community support for the Greenway. Cluckers’ location on the riverfront will provide partygoers with a firsthand look at the project, which seeks to connect Jeffersonville, Clarksville and New Albany’s riverfronts with a continuous park and walking trail.

Because the project is developing in stages, many people simply don’t realize how much has already been accomplished, according to the release. The Jeffersonville portion of the project is completed and next year is to connect with the Big Four pedestrian bridge. Clarksville and New Albany have also finished sections, but work is still needed in each municipality to connect the finished sections.

“Once people see the Greenway and how it fits into the metro’s system of parks and trails, I think they will be pleasantly surprised,” said Keith Baumann, vice president of the friends group. “It truly is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. As our community works to improve its overall health, we think the Greenway will play a big role.”

Friends of the Ohio River Greenway, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, consists of volunteers who seek to increase public and private awareness of, and support for, the Ohio River Greenway through advocacy, educational outreach, social networking and fundraising.

For more information check out ohiorivergreenway.org, friendsofthegreenway.com or facebook.com/ OhioRiverGreenway.