LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The expansion of Waterfront Park into the west end of Louisville is underway. It's a project that has been 10 years in the making and will cost $50 million. Right now, crews are working to complete phase four of the plan to expand the usable waterfront space.
On Wednesday, the construction site for the 22-acre park between 10th and 14th Streets was active with workers, concrete pours and rebar across the area.
Executive Director for Waterfront Park Deborah Bilitski said the park will include some noticeable features like construction equipment that will be installed into the playground.
"They didn't want just an ordinary playground," she said. "We've already placed a few of those here recently some of these large scale construction pieces that tell the story of this being where the city was born and began to grow."
PHOTOS: Renderings of Waterfront Park's Phase Four expansion
The back part of a dump truck was lined up and placed vertically on the playground. Bilitski said multiple slides will be attached to it.
"We are developing this phase in sub-phases," Bilitski said. "The first piece that is currently under construction right now is expected to be open in late 2024."
The goal of this project is recognizing communities needs in the west end. Russell neighborhood resident Jackie Floyd said their input is being acknowledged.
"It's about time," Floyd said. "We have said we wanted these things. We have said we have wanted amenities in our community that our tax dollars are paying for people to have in their community. So finally people are listening to the residents of the west end."
Floyd said this addition, along with the Goodwill Opportunity Center and Norton Hospital to the west Louisville neighborhoods, is all thanks to the community's voice.
"They have been vigilant in just saying we want these things and we're not going to stop until we get these things," Floyd said.
Bilitski said opening up the access to the Ohio River was an amenity the community also asked for.
"We have seen how much the community enjoys engaging with the river," Bilitski said. "Whether if it's active recreation or just passively spending time and observing the amazing views."
This expansion does not have an exact opening date, but Bilitski said they plan to have it open by late 2024.
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