Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve

YOUR GENEROUS GIFT WILL GROW!

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is a public charity established in 1975 through the legacy of Virginia Creasey Mahan and Howard Mahan to bring nature and community together in a beautiful setting.

The Nature Preserve is a 170-acre favorite family-friendly destination in Goshen with nine-miles of hiking trails, camping, waterfalls, springs, an educational Nature Center with a live bee hive and bird blind, an historic Mahan Manor, spring house, two-acre native wildflower and fern Woodland Garden, and special events throughout the year. Popular gatherings include the Butterfly Ball gala, the Haunted Hike, and Nature of Christmas in Goshen.

The THRIVE FOREST SCHOOL at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is Kentucky’s first full-time nature-based preschool, nestled in the beautiful woodlands. 

We removed the walls and brought child-led, exploratory learning to where it makes the most impact: outside. Development and learning are enhanced when children are given the space and confidence to follow their curiosities, engage with peers, stimulate all senses, and test limits. Our THRIVE program offers a full range of summer of camps, a school-year long preschool, and after school offerings.

With your help, we completed the handicapped-accessible FOREST FRIENDS PLAYGROUND. 

This special playground features giant-sized forest creatures, a 22’ tower with three slides and lots of group-play equipment. Our community loves the new playground!

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is a peaceful and beautiful site for gatherings, outdoor weddings, reunions, and a place to relax and bring the entire family, including friendly pets on leash. Last year alone, we served more than 60,000 visitors. Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is open dawn to dusk every day of the year, free of charge.

As a public charity that is visitor and donor supported, every gift makes an enormous difference! Thank you in advance for your wonderful support. 

FUND-A-NEED

RENOVATE the library building, which was an historic dairy barn built in 1828, before housing Oldham County's Mahan Library Branch for the last 41 years. Help us transform this structure into a much-needed Visitor Center.

GROW our Thrive Forest School’s scholarship fund to support families in need, so all children may have access to outdoor learning and play. Your gift towards the Thrive Scholarship Fund will allow children, regardless of their family’s financial means, to attend this groundbreaking program.

NATURE FOR ALL: Bringing together nature and community! If we all do our part, this special place will never be sold, paved over, or developed. It should always be free and available to all. We are open every day of the year with FREE access! As a public charity supported solely by donors and grants, YOUR GIFT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.  

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

Who We Are

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve
12501 Harmony Landing Road, Goshen
www.KYNaturePreserve.org
(502) 228-4362

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is a public charity established in 1975 through the legacy of Virginia Creasey Mahan and Howard Mahan. The Nature Preserve is a 170-acre favorite family-friendly destination in Goshen that offers 9-miles of hiking trails, camping, waterfalls, springs, an educational Nature Center, an historic Mahan Manor, Spring house, Woodland Garden, and special events throughout the year. Popular events include the Butterfly Ball gala, Family Fun Day with Pets, the Haunted Hike, and Nature of Christmas in Goshen.

The Preserve is known for its school field trips, scout programs, and fun summer camps. An exciting addition is the NEW wheelchair accessible Forest Friends Playground, which features giant-sized forest creatures. It also is used as part of our school field trips and customized programs for scouts and families.

THRIVE FOREST SCHOOL at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is Louisville’s first nature-based preschool, nestled in the beautiful woodlands. We’ve removed the walls and brought child-led, exploratory learning to where it makes the most impact: outside. Forest schools (also known as “forest kindergartens”) have been well established for over 50 years and are among the fastest growing models in early-childhood education. Development and learning are enhanced when children are given the space and confidence to follow their curiosities, engage with peers, stimulate all senses, and test their limits. This fosters a love of learning which will serve them well beyond primary school and into their adult lives.