History of Louisville Waterfront Park in Timeline

Louisville Waterfront Park is an 85-acre public park and non-profit organization located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, along the Ohio River. Adjacent to the wharf and Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere, the park transformed a former industrial wasteland into a vibrant green space attracting over 2.2 million annual visitors. A key feature is the Big Four Bridge, connecting Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. The park hosts major events like Fourth of July celebrations, Forecastle Festival, WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays, and Thunder Over Louisville. In 2013, it received the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, recognizing its positive impact on urban design and community.

1969: Big Four Bridge decommissioned

The Big Four Bridge, connecting Louisville Waterfront Park and Jeffersonville, Indiana, was decommissioned in 1969 after operating as a railroad bridge for freight and passenger travel.

November 19, 1983: Vietnam Memorial dedicated

The Vietnam Memorial was originally dedicated on November 19, 1983 on the Belvedere, prior to its relocation to Louisville Waterfront Park in 2014.

1994: Ground broken for project

Ground was broken for the Louisville Waterfront Park project in 1994, initiating the transformation of the industrial site into a public park.

1994: Phase I construction

Phase I construction of Louisville Waterfront Park began in 1994 and continued until 1999.

1995: Mass excavations completed

Mass excavations for Louisville Waterfront Park were completed in 1995, preparing the site for development.

1996: Wharf completed

The wharf construction for Louisville Waterfront Park was completed in 1996, adding a key feature to the park's waterfront area.

1997: Children's Play Area completed

In 1997, the Children's Play Area at Louisville Waterfront Park was completed, marking one of the first spaces in the park.

1999: Phase I construction

Phase I construction of Louisville Waterfront Park concluded in 1999, marking the end of the initial development phase.

1999: Space dedicated

The initial phase of Louisville Waterfront Park was dedicated in 1999, marking the completion of the construction phase that included the Great Lawn and walking paths.

2004: Phase II construction

Phase II construction for Louisville Waterfront Park concluded in 2004.

2005: Phase III construction begins

In late spring of 2005, Phase III construction of Waterfront Park commenced, including the conversion of the Big Four Railroad bridge into a pedestrian bridge.

2006: Signs posted on fountain

In 2006, signs were posted on the Louisville Waterfront Park fountain that read: "DANGER! – WATER CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN – KEEP OUT", which was part of a water-related hoax.

May 2007: Designs for span released

In May 2007, designs for the span over the Great Lawn in Louisville Waterfront Park were released, causing some controversy due to the cost and number of pillars proposed.

2009: Lincoln Memorial Completed

The Lincoln Memorial at Louisville Waterfront Park was completed in 2009.

2010: Big Four Lawn Opened

The Big Four Lawn at Louisville Waterfront Park opened in 2010.

February 2011: Funding announced for Big Four Bridge project

In February 2011, the governors of Kentucky and Indiana announced a $22 million funding allocation to complete the Big Four Bridge project, creating a pedestrian and bicycle path connecting Louisville and Jeffersonville.

2012: Phase III construction

Phase III construction concluded in 2012.

February 6, 2013: Big Four Bridge opens

On February 6, 2013, Louisville Waterfront Park opened an elliptical ramp and the Big Four Bridge to pedestrians and bicycles.

2013: Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence

In 2013, Louisville Waterfront Park received the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, a national design award that recognizes places addressing economic and social concerns through urban design.

May 2014: Big Four Bridge project completed

In May 2014, the Big Four Bridge project was completed with the opening of the Jeffersonville ramp.

2014: Jeffersonville ramp built

In 2014, Jeffersonville completed its ramp to complete the Big Four Bridge experience connecting to Louisville Waterfront Park.

2014: Vietnam Memorial moved

In 2014, the Vietnam Memorial was moved to its current location at the base of the Big Four Bridge in Louisville Waterfront Park.

March 29, 2018: SkyStar Wheel debut

On March 29, 2018, the traveling SkyStar Wheel made its debut in Louisville Waterfront Park for the 2018 Kentucky Derby season.

May 6, 2018: SkyStar Wheel remained open

The SkyStar Wheel which debuted in Louisville Waterfront Park on March 29, 2018 remained open until May 6, 2018.

2018: Concept design finalized for Playworks at Waterfront Park

In 2018, the concept design for Playworks at Louisville Waterfront Park was finalized. Playworks is an outdoor experiential learning area in partnership with the Kentucky Science Center.