Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park Map
About Waterfront Park in Louisville
Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky, is an 85-acre urban park that beautifully integrates natural landscapes with recreational amenities. Once an industrial zone housing scrap yards and chemical tanks, the park has undergone a massive transformation since the early 1990s to emerge as one of Louisville's most celebrated public spaces. Positioned along the Ohio River near downtown Louisville, the park offers an array of features that cater to families, individuals, and communities seeking leisure and activities.
The park is designed across several phases, each contributing unique elements. Phase I included the Great Lawn—an expansive open area for picnics, field games, and large events such as concerts and festivals. Other highlights from this phase are walking paths, green spaces, and Joe's Crab Shack. Phase II introduced the Brown-Forman Amphitheater, additional playgrounds, a rowing facility, and picnic areas, while Phase III focused on developing the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge, which now connects Kentucky to Jeffersonville, Indiana. This former railroad bridge is a major attraction, featuring nighttime LED lighting displays visible across the area.
Notable attractions include the Adventure Playground and Splash Park, tailored for children, and the Swing Garden, offering comfort swings under shade trees with scenic views of the river. The park also features the Abraham Lincoln Memorial and "Dancing Waters," fountains that provide interactive waterplay fun. Its extensive network of ADA-compliant walking and biking paths ensures accessibility for all visitors. Additionally, the park hosts annual events such as Thunder Over Louisville and the Fourth of July celebration.
Waterfront Park continues to expand; Phase IV focuses on extending the park westward, adding interactive play areas, new walking paths, and spaces commemorating Louisville’s history. This ongoing development underscores the park’s role as a center for community life, offering a mix of relaxation, recreation, and cultural connectivity.
