Louisville Waterfront Park

Louisville, Kentucky

Written by Julie Greiner

Louisville was founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778 and since 1811 the metropolis of Louisville has relied heavily upon the river for commerce, tourism and entertainment. Louisville was the first city in Kentucky to adopt zoning and planning measures to control and shape urban growth. The time is right, the project is needed - Phase I, II and III of the Waterfront Park is bringing the waterfront of Louisville into the future and placing Louisville in the fore running once again.

The Waterfront Park in Louisville is an extensive beautification project July 2001 Celebration at Louisville Waterfront Park which is presently starting Phase II. The Waterfront Development Corporation was created in 1986 to oversee waterfront development efforts along the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky. This three-part development combines the oversight of the design, construction, event and maintenance of the park. No small undertaking, Phase I comprised approximately 55 acres.

Phase I of Waterfront Park of Louisville

The Park was dedicated on July 4, 1999 and since has hosted hundreds of events with an estimated total attendance of more than a million people. The Park's design has been noticed both nationally and internationally and has won a number of prestigious awards, including several from the American Society of Landscape Architects. The Great Lawn will be the site for the annual event to celebrate the 4th of July. This event will most certainly be an unprecedented success.

Waterfront Park Phase II of Louisville

The Phase II of the Waterfront Park will add approximately another 35 acres Phase II Projected of Louisville Waterfront Park

to the park, including another much larger children's play area with water play, a pedestrian connection to Southern Indiana across the old Big Four railroad bridge, a small cafe, a rowing facility for school and community rowing groups and an informal amphitheater. The contract calls for additional picnic and lawn areas, tree groves and walking paths. Phase II is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2003.

Big Four Bridge of Waterfront Park

The centerpiece of the second phase, the Big Four Bridge, can be seen from throughout the park. The park is heavily used on a daily basis by children and families... the play area, walking and joggers paths, picnicking facilities and school groups are in full swing taking advantage of this beautiful location along the river. This Waterfront Park project is a step into the future and places Louisville among the more progressive cities in the country.