LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Smoketown park that's been the scene of violence is receiving more than $1 million in improvements.
The Parks Alliance of Louisville unveiled the final designs for a reimagined Ballard Park, complete with play structures, a picnic pavilion and new basketball courts.
The community has pushed for improvements at the park since a double shooting in 2021.
Krista Gwynn’s daughter, Victoria, was hurt and 17-year-old DeJuan Coward was killed.
“We want the park to be safer for the kids that live in the neighborhood, for the kids that visit the neighborhood, for the adults that walk through the park. It needs to be a little bit safer,” Gwynn said.
Gwinn said she would like to see extra security like cameras installed in the park and possibly a bench to honor Coward.
PAL has started raising money for the $1.3 million project.
They hope to have it complete by the end of summer 2025.
Ballard Park has been around since 1919 and is located on East Caldwell Street.
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