Last week, Louisville, Ky., city and state leaders, community members and donors gathered to celebrate the grand opening of PlayPort and the first phase of the Waterfront Park’s long-awaited Phase IV expansion. This moment marks the next step in reconnecting Louisville’s west end neighborhoods to the Ohio River, ensuring that Waterfront Park remains a place for everyone, according to park officials.
“For 38 years, Waterfront Park has worked to reclaim our Ohio River waterfront for the community, creating a space where people can gather, play and connect,” said Deborah Bilitski, executive director and president of Waterfront Park. “With today’s opening of PlayPort and the first phase of our Phase IV expansion, we are taking another step toward deepening those connections, bringing Waterfront Park within walking distance of thousands of new residents.”
PlayPort, a science-based play and learning area developed in partnership with the Kentucky Science Center, is the first feature of the Phase IV expansion to open. Unlike traditional playgrounds, PlayPort transforms industrial and river-themed objects into interactive play structures, including a life-sized excavator bucket, a supersized dump truck bed with slides and authentic maritime artifacts. The vast majority of the playground is accessible at ground level or through ramps and pathways, exceeding ADA standards and ensuring that children of all abilities can play and explore together.
“The PlayPort is part of our New Kentucky Home where there is opportunity, prosperity and equal access for every family and child,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Thanks to the Kentucky Science Center for making this space open to everybody so all kids can join in and have fun together. Team Kentucky was proud to invest $10 million to help expand Waterfront Park into West Louisville so that 10,000 more Kentuckians could easily walk here and make amazing memories with their families.”
Phase IV is a $50-million project that will add 22 acres of new public space along the Ohio River. For decades, residents of Portland, Russell and other west Louisville neighborhoods have lived close to the river but have lacked direct access to its many offerings. The expansion will help bridge that gap, bringing Waterfront Park within a 20-minute walk of more than 10,000 residents and creating a stronger link between downtown and west Louisville.
“I want to thank Deborah, her team and the Waterfront Park Board for spearheading this state-of-the-art park expansion into Portland and Russell,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “I am confident PlayPort will be the most popular new destination for children and families across Louisville, and I know this will soon be a national model for other cities looking to build similar projects around the country.”
Over the next several years, the continued Phase IV expansion will include new community gathering spaces designed to create opportunities for recreation, connection and engagement with Louisville’s riverfront heritage.
“This project is about more than expanding a park, it’s about expanding community, building connection and creating opportunity,” said Bilitski. “With each new phase, Waterfront Park continues to reflect our city’s history while shaping its future, ensuring that the Ohio River remains a gathering place for all.”
