A hunky handyman on HGTV plans to build playgrounds in Louisville

Kirby Adams | Courier Journal

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He's handsome, compassionate and he can fix things — now that's a winning combination!

TV handyman and HGTV star Carter Oosterhouse will bring his tool belt and goodwill to Louisville later this month.

The host of the "Trading Spaces" reboot — the series that started the home makeover craze and gave Oosterhouse his start in television — will be in town with his non-profit "Carter's Kids," which builds playgrounds across America to promote fitness and self-esteem in kids

The builder, TV personality, author and owner of an award-winning winery has visited Louisville in the past and said he's is a big fan.

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"We shot one of my first episodes of ‘Trading Spaces’ there, so it definitely holds a special place in my heart," Oosterhouse said. "I have been to the Kentucky Derby, with the full tour, and even got to call a horse race. I’ve also made a bat at the Louisville Slugger Factory. I love the Bourbon Trail and would love to make bourbon one day."

Sounds like he really is a big fan.

Oosterhouse will lend his handyman know-how to the construction of two community playgrounds July 15-19. He'll be building the playgrounds along with his wife, actress Amy Smart (“Shameless,” Tyler Perry’s “The Single Mom’s Club”), and with the help of community volunteers from Humana, ARGI Financial Group and Mortenson Family Dental.

The playgrounds, funded by local business people and organizations, will be built July 15-16 at the Southwest Family YMCA, 2800 Fordhaven Road, and July 17-18 at the Clark County Family YMCA, 4812 Hamburg Pike, Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The public is invited to join Oosterhouse for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the new playground at 11 a.m. July 19 at the Clark County Family YMCA.

Oosterhouse, who is passionate about encouraging and supporting physical activity and healthy living in kids, said building creative and imaginative playgrounds isn't that hard if you have all your plans and materials laid out ahead of the construction build.

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Since 2006, Carter's Kids has constructed more than 60 playgrounds in cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Charlotte and others.

“The playgrounds we provide through Carter’s Kids are designed to be an important part of a child’s cognitive, social and physical development, as well as being a great place for families in the community to gather and form new friendships," he said.

Besides his gig on HGTV, you can also catch Oosterhouse as a go-to expert on shows like “Rachel Ray,” “Today,” “Good Morning America,” “Home & Family” and “The Talk.”

Oosterhouse has also penned the home design book, "Carter’s Way" and the children’s book "A Big Problem." His winery is located in his hometown of Traverse City, Michigan.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com Twitter @kirbylouisville. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/kirbya.