Louisville dedicates newly-restored Overlook at Waterfront Park

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A dedication ceremony held Monday celebrated the completion of a project to restore the Overlook at Waterfront Park.

After more than 25 years, the Overlook was in desperate need of an update. Thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Humana Foundation, there is now over an acre of new grass, a central plaza, and dozens of trees selected to thrive in the environment of Waterfront Park.

Benches, light poles and trash bins were also refreshed. The restoration even improves environmental health by filtering stormwater, improving air quality and reducing urban heat.

"This restoration and the park itself are reminders of what can happen when organizations and individuals come together with the shared belief in community," Deborah Bilitski, president of Waterfront Park, said during Monday's dedication.

The project was announced and began in September 2024. Trees that were there at the time were either sick, dead or dying, so they were removed to make way for the new trees that are better adapted to the environment.

The Overlook was constructed in 1998 and features the Gracehoper sculpture, created by Tony Smith and gifted to the park by the Humana Foundation in honor of Wendell Cherry.

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