Louisville Zoo unveils new renderings for $100M Kentucky Trails project

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Louisville Zoo filed a construction permit this week on its planned $100 million Kentucky Trails exhibit on an unused 17.5-acre portion on the south end of the property.

New renderings show gardens, a water feature and open prairies to showcase native Kentucky species like bison, elk and more.

In a written statement Friday, zoo officials said they plan to break ground in early 2027, with construction set to last about three years with multiple phases. It's expected to be fully complete by summer 2029.

Last month, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg proposed $5 million in city money exhibit in his proposed budget. And in 2022, the Kentucky General Assembly announced it invested $10 million to help build the habitat, and the zoo said another $5 million has since been allocated by the state. After some other small private donors, the zoo is trying to fundraise $77.1 million to complete the project.

According to our partners at Louisville Business First, Kentucky Trails will provide up-close encounters with bison, elk, black bear, bobcat and other animals that are native to the state. The plan also calls for walking trails and a water feature for kayaking.

Zoo-goers were excited to hear the news Friday. Pam Scanlon and her husband spent the day at the zoo with their grandson, something they used to do with their kids when they were little.

Scanlon said she thinks allowing children to experience the zoo at a young age broadens their horizons.

"The kids love watching the animals," she said. "It widens their thinking and their thoughts and maybe their interest in taking care of the world and its animals one day."

Felicity Lewis said she thinks the exhibit will be money well-spent.

"As far as the funding goes, I think it's important to give back to the community," she said Friday. "Everybody will get to enjoy the new exhibit. The kids will have fun, the adults will have fun, and I think it's a great thing to spend money on."

In 2024, the zoo said its famous train would also make a return in this new project. The idea was to work around part of the property where a sinkhole opened in an undeveloped area in 2019, meaning the train won't run along the same path. The train will also be fully electric.

An investigation into the 2009 train derailment that injured 22 people found speed, poor maintenance and inadequate training caused it. But Louisville natives have fond memories of the train.

"It's environmentally good stewardship there," Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney said at the time. "And also, we will have the opportunity to make sure that it's all good quality control."

Maloney told Business First the train will also bring people back into the existing part of the zoo, though a master plan for it is still in the works.