Dana McMahan

Special to the Courier-Journal

Restaurants in the Highlands are getting a unique offer from Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church, 1722 Bardstown Road.

The church is testing out a child care co-op for families who want to share in a parents' night out. Beginning Friday, May 27, children ages six through 12 can come to the church while parents go out for dinner at a nearby restaurant.

The program is being “field-tested” for four Friday nights (May 27 and June 3, 10, and 17) from 6-9 p.m. In partnership with leaders of the Louisville Cottage School, a simple meal and age-appropriate actives will be offered.

The church was looking for ways to support the community, says the Rev. Chris Lieberman.

“It was obvious; we're on restaurant row. We wanted to say 'what could a church offer that would make a contribution to something that's already good and valuable about our neighborhood?' and this idea of providing parents' night out came up. It's kind of our gift to the community, if parents want to go out to eat, to a movie,” he said.

The initial plan is to run the program as a co-op, Lieberman explains.

“The idea is if you signed up, you could go out three nights during the month and then one night you'd stay and help with the program," he said. "There's a trust level; we're building a community rather than babysitting.”

That's not a requirement, however, he says.

“We're not turning anyone away," he said. "There's not a cost involved. We might have a follow-up conversation if co-op doesn't work.”

The program is a natural way to build on the farmer's market that takes place Saturdays at the church.

“All the places in my walkable area between Douglass Loop and Eastern Parkway, there's energy,” Lieberman said. “For me, the farmer's market represents metaphorically the village well. People can come and shop, and visit, and connect with neighbors. The restaurants and coffeehouses have that same kind of community opportunity.

“The farmers market has been meeting here 20-some years,” Lieberman said. “The story I heard was three farmers came to leaders in the church and said 'would it be all right if we sold produce from the back of our trucks in your parking lot for the next three weeks?' The church elders said yes. If they'd asked to take over the parking lot for the next 20 years that would have been different. This is the first step … to see if there's a need.”

If it turns out to be so, “then we'll continue it between now and Christmas,” he said.

More information: http://www.brpres.org/PNO.html

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