$5 million in state, local funding will help Waterfront Botanical Gardens expand in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Waterfront Botanical Gardens announced $5 million in new funding from state and local budgets for Phase 2 of its expansion, which includes a new Japanese Garden.

The $22 million garden will include a traditional Japanese tea house, meant to introduce the Japanese tea ceremony, one of the most prestigious and symbolic rituals in Japanese culture.

It will sit on 2 acres and will include a waterfall, lake, stream and bonsai garden. Renowned Japanese garden landscape designer Shiro Nakane is designing the garden.

"Its a perfect example of coming together to support — with a private sector — a transformative project, taking a landfill and turning it into a botanical gardens," Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Thursday. "But it's so much more than that. It's also an economic development driver for downtown Louisville, our entire region and commonwealth."

The money will also be used for several projects, including the creation of the Graeser Family Bonsai Garden Tree Allée and the Beargrass Creek Overlook.

$4 million came from the Kentucky General Assembly, and $1 million came from Louisville Metro Government.

"We are deeply grateful for this unprecedented support from both the Kentucky General Assembly and Louisville Metro," Philip Koester, president and CEO of Waterfront Botanical Gardens, said in a news release Thursday. "This marks a pivotal moment for the Gardens as we embark on Phase 2 of construction, creating even more opportunities for people to connect with nature in this unique urban oasis. We are thankful for their confidence in our vision for a greener, healthier Kentucky."

The Waterfront Botanical Gardens is also celebrating five years since it first opened to the public on Frankfort Avenue in 2019.