5 Ways to Explore JSP

5 Ways to Explore Josephine Sculpture Park

Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) is free and open daily from dawn to dusk, located at 3355 Lawrenceburg Road in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Park features over 70 artworks along 2 miles of mowed trails that meander through 40 acres of native meadows, fields, and forests. JSP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to connect people to each other and the land through the arts. Explore 5 ways to experience JSP’s unique offerings, or plan your own adventure today!

1.   Picnic on a Sculpture

The Porch Project: Take it to the Bridge by 2019 Artist in Residence Heather Hart features five, five-sided picnic tables on shaded, elevated platforms. It is perfect for your next community meeting, family picnic, informal performance, craft meet-up, and more! An ADA accessible bridge from the main parking lot to the heart of the sculpture makes it a convenient and accessible place to meet up to converse, create and connect. The sculpture can seat up to 25 people. The bridge leads to the one wheelchair-accessible table; the remaining four tables are accessed via stairs. JSP does not manage reservations for use of the sculpture; it is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. JSP invites the community to make the space their own. Learn more about Hart’s sculpture.

If you are looking for a private picnic spot, or a place to reflect or journal, check out the new picnic shelter (pictured) in Firefly Forest or Nature Nook in Kestrel Fields. The picnic shelter features an elevated platform nestled in the trees with a slanted roof to protect you from sun or rain with one wooden picnic table. The Nature Nook features a concrete floor, metal roof, and two benches with backs.

JSP also provides an array of picnic and patio tables around the amphitheater, adjacent to the main parking lot.

2.   Hunt for Tree Art

At JSP, you can touch every single artwork. Some of them, you can even spin, climb or paint on! Check the sign located near each artwork to learn how to interact with it safely. 


Lucy Azubuike, 2018 Artist in Residence, created Me in Me Sanctuary as an interactive sculpture and “tree art” scavenger hunt. Download the scavenger hunt map and instructions here, or grab a copy at the info box near in front of the sculpture located in Kestrel Fields. You will learn to see trees in a whole new way!

Climb inside of Sky Chamber by Daniel Shieh, 2021 Artist in Residence, located in Fox Meadow, and watch the clouds roll by in an alternate sense of reality. (You gotta experience it for yourself!)

Bring your own spray paint, paint pens, or permanent markers and make your mark on GRAPHOLOGYHENGE created by 2018 Artist in Residence, Peyton Scott Russell. Find it on our map, located where Fox Meadow and Walnut Grove meet.

3.   Nature Journaling & More

JSP provides several free activities to engage with the park in new ways. Download our printable activities available on our website, including an Art Scavenger Hunt, Sculpture Coloring Sheets and Nature Journal Activity. You can also grab a wildlife or plant ID resource from our Visitor Center and find names for the living things that call JSP home (please return the resource when you are finished). JSP is a popular birding and photography site, too!

4.   Hit the Trails on 4 Wheels

Do you or a friend want to explore JSP, but walking is not available to you? Our mowed trails are 5-10 feet wide and traverse the landscape (including gentle hills) to be as accessible as possible by motorized wheelchair. Some trails are not accessible. Visitors that need mobility assistance can request to reserve our 4-person golf cart for up to 2 hours to experience the park. Due to limited staff availability, golf cart reservation requests must be made at least 1 week in advance and are not available on Mondays, major holidays, or after 5pm. Visitors can request to reserve our golf cart at least 1 week in advance by completing this form or calling 502-352-7082. Reservation requests are final once confirmed by JSP staff. We will do our best to return your message in 24 to 48 hours during our office hours (Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm).

5.   Explore Art in Public Places

Through the Art in Public Places program (AIPP), JSP curates and maintains about 30 public art installations (murals and sculptures) throughout Frankfort and Franklin County at Expree Credit Union, West Sixth Farm, and in the City of Frankfort through the Arts Downtown exhibition. Learn more about the Arts Downtown exhibition and Frankfort Public Art Tour at visitfrankfort.com/art.


Published January 26, 2024

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