Love Louisville's parks? What to know about new green spaces and updates in town
Louisville is home to more than 120 green spaces and parks, some of which are currently undergoing renovations and improvements to make them more enjoyable for their surrounding neighborhoods.
Many of the spaces are part of Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation but others are independently owned, including Waterfront Park, which is currently in its "Phase IV" of expansion.
Here is a look at some of the renovations to parks and green spaces around the city:
Waterfront Park
129 River Road
Officials broke ground on the expansion of Waterfront Park, known as “Phase IV,” in 2022.
The 22-acre addition to the park will connect Louisville’s West End neighborhoods to Waterfront Park and take between 10th and 14th streets in the Portland neighborhood, The Courier Journal previously reported.
Ashley C. Smith, the Director of Development for Waterfront Park, said the first part of the “Phase IV” expansion is under construction. “PlayPort at Waterfront Park” is 3.5 acres of the total 22 acres and is expected to be completed by late 2024.
More: What to know about Waterfront Park's new planned expansion into Louisville's West End
Chickasaw Park
1200 Southwestern Parkway
The park’s 1-acre pond is currently undergoing restoration using $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding, The Courier Journal previously reported.
As part of the project, the pond will have canoe and kayak access, fishing piers, walking paths and even a “a large ‘butterfly and bee’ pollinator meadow as a tribute to Muhammad Ali,” according to the Olmsted Parks Conservancy website.
More: Chickasaw Park improvements are coming. But it shouldn't take shooting to prompt maintenance.
Windsor Park
2401 Lamborne Blvd.
City officials recently broke ground on a new Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation park at 2401 Lamborne Blvd., The Courier Journal previously reported.
Windsor Park is expected to open in the summer or early fall, Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation Director Jason Canuel said. He said the park will have a splash pad, a seating area and bathrooms.
More: Windsor Park: Louisville is getting a new public park. Here's what to know
Algonquin Park
1614 Cypress St.
Algonquin Park is expected to get a new pool next year, which is being redeveloped partially thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funding, The Courier Journal previously reported.
The pool will have several amenities, including a family slide, a lily pad bridge, a zero-depth entry ramp, a climbing wall and a vortex, according to a February news release from Louisville Metro.
Katey Cook, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation, said construction for the Camp Taylor pool is expected to begin in the spring. Along with the Algonquin Park pool, they both “are expected to be opened for the 2025 swim season.”
More: Louisville native D’Angelo Russell's foundation donates $100k for Algonquin Park upgrades
Iroquois Park
1000 Amphitheater Road
The six tennis courts at Iroquois Park were closed in September of last year for Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation to turn them into four pickleball courts, two new tennis courts and a futsal court, The Courier Journal previously reported.
The project is expected to be completed in the spring, according to a release from Louisville Metro.
More: Do you love pickleball? Here are 5 new places to play in Louisville
LOUMED Commons
East Chestnut Street
As part of its efforts to revitalize downtown Louisville, nonprofit Louisville Medical and Education District, known as LOUMED, is expected to create an urban park concept with green spaces and areas for pedestrians, The Courier Journal previously reported.
The organization hopes to have LOUMED Commons completed by October at the former Community Correctional Center, located on East Chestnut Street, which is expected to be demolished later this year.
More: LOUMED, new medical and education district, to bring change to downtown. What we know
Elliott Park
630 S 28th St.
Russell neighborhood’s Elliott Park is currently undergoing improvements which are expected to be finalized by the fall, Cook said in an email.
According to a release from the Olmstead Park Conservancy, as of March, there was significant progress in the $2.9 million project — seat walls that will border the plaza were “taking shape,” workers began painting the field house and they have already poured concrete for the splash pad.
More: From playgrounds to event space: What to know about 6 park projects in the West End
Berrytown Park
1300 Heafer Road
Cook told The Courier Journal in an email Berrytown Park is also undergoing improvements, specifically to its walking path, ball field and basketball and tennis courts.
“Berrytown is located in a heavily residential area and includes a community center adjacent to the property,” Cook said. “Improvements to the park will more heavily promote organized youth activity and leagues.”
More: Reopened libraries to supporting kids: How Louisville plans to use next $87M in ARP funds
Trager MicroForest Project
The University of Louisville Urban Design Studio is currently working on the Trager MicroForest Project at Founders Square in downtown Louisville.
“This project aims to transform downtown into a healthier and more appealing urban center,” the project’s website states. “This initiative goes beyond creating a pleasant greenspace; it will provide a template for future projects, reimagining urban greening from street trees along city corridors to underutilized spaces between buildings.”
More: Waterfront Park named among Best Riverwalks in USA TODAY’s 10Best list. See where it landed
Walnut Park
South 13th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Construction started in 2023 for a new park coming to Louisville’s Russell neighborhood at South 13th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
The park is being constructed with funding from several organizations, including the Cincinnati Bengals and National Football League Foundation and the American Rescue Plan Act, The Courier Journal previously reported.
The first stage of construction includes basketball and pickleball courts, a playground and splash park.
More: Louisville partners with Cincinnati Bengals for new park near Beecher Terrace
More: Looking to get outdoors? Here's a list of Louisville's major parks
Reporters Olivia Evans, Eleanor McCrary, Connor Giffin, Billy Kobin and Lucas Aulbach contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville parks break ground, get updates in 2024