LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With shovels in hand, state and city officials, community leaders and children gathered for the official groundbreaking of Waterfront Park’s Phase IV expansion.
The westward expansion will add 22 acres to the park between 10th and 14th streets, putting the park’s world-class amenities within a short walking distance of more than 12,000 West End residents.
For over three decades, Waterfront Park has transformed our waterfront from a blighted industrial area into a vibrant hub of activity. Attracting more than 2.2 million visitors a year, the expansion is expected to help attract people to Louisville and Kentucky.
Phase IV will provide a continuation of open space along the river and bring the prospect of new experiences and activities to the area. As part of the project, River Road will be extended west to Rowan Street, providing a vital connection between the existing park and Phase IV, downtown and the west.
The first portion of the park expansion to be constructed will include an outdoor experiential learning area for children that has been designed in partnership with Kentucky Science Center. It will feature creative and educational play structures that will celebrate and teach the history of the waterfront. Several rounds of public engagement also played a role in the development of the play area.
The expected cost for the expansion is $50 million, with $26 million having already been raised from a combination of support from the city, state, philanthropic organizations and individual donors. Waterfront Park will construct the 22-acre expansion in phases as funds continue to be raised.
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