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. Transformed from a former industrial wasteland, the park now attracts over 2.2 million visitors annually. It features the Big Four Bridge, connecting Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and hosts numerous events including the Fourth of July celebration, Forecastle Festival, WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays, and Thunder Over Louisville. In 2013, the park received the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, recognizing its successful urban design addressing economic and social concerns.

1969: Big Four Bridge Decommissioned

The Big Four Bridge was decommissioned in 1969, and the ramps were removed several years later.

November 19, 1983: Vietnam Memorial Dedicated

On November 19, 1983, the Vietnam Memorial was dedicated, originally on the Belvedere in Louisville.

1994: Ground Broken for Project

Ground was broken for the Louisville Waterfront Park project in 1994.

1994: Phase I Construction Begins

In 1994, Phase I construction began on Louisville Waterfront Park.

1995: Mass Excavations Completed

Mass excavations were completed in 1995 for the Louisville Waterfront Park project.

1996: Wharf Completed

The wharf at Louisville Waterfront Park was completed in 1996.

1997: Children's Play Area Completed

The Children's Play Area at Louisville Waterfront Park was one of the first spaces to be completed in 1997.

1999: Phase I Construction Complete

In 1999, Phase I construction was completed on Louisville Waterfront Park.

1999: Space Dedicated

The space for Louisville Waterfront Park was dedicated in 1999. The first phase of construction included the Great Lawn, Joe's Crab Shack, walking paths, and play areas.

2004: Phase II Construction Complete

In 2004, Phase II construction was completed on Louisville Waterfront Park.

2005: Phase III Construction Begins

In 2005, Phase III construction began on Louisville Waterfront Park.

2006: "DANGER! – WATER CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN – KEEP OUT" Signs Posted

In 2006, signs reading "DANGER! – WATER CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN – KEEP OUT" were posted on the fountain at Louisville Waterfront Park to deter visitors from bathing in it. This was a water-related hoax.

May 2007: Designs Released for Span Over Great Lawn

In May 2007, designs for the span over the Great Lawn in Louisville Waterfront Park were released, causing some controversy.

2009: Lincoln Memorial Dedicated

The Lincoln Memorial at Louisville Waterfront Park was dedicated in the summer of 2009 as part of the bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth.

2010: Big Four Lawn Opened

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

February 2011: Funding Announced for Big Four Bridge Project

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

2012: Phase III Construction Complete

In 2012, Phase III construction was completed on Louisville Waterfront Park.

February 6, 2013: Big Four Bridge Opens to Pedestrians and Bicycles

On February 6, 2013, Louisville 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 recognizing places that address economic and social concerns in urban design.

May 2014: Jeffersonville Ramp Opens

In May 2014, the Jeffersonville ramp opened, completing the Big Four Bridge project.

2014: Jeffersonville Ramp Built

In 2014, Jeffersonville built their ramp to complete the Big Four experience at Louisville Waterfront Park.

2014: Vietnam Memorial Moved

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

March 29, 2018: SkyStar Wheel Debut

The traveling SkyStar Wheel debuted in Louisville Waterfront Park on March 29, 2018, for the Kentucky Derby, Thunder Over Louisville, and Waterfront Wednesday season opener.