New Walnut Street Park opens in Louisville’s Russell Neighborhood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A celebration was held Tuesday for a new park in Louisville's Russell neighborhood.

Mayor Craig Greenberg, Louisville Parks and Recreation and other community partners celebrated the grand opening of New Walnut Street Park. The nearly 4-acre park represents a $3.7 million investment.

The park is located at 13th Street and West Muhammad Ali Boulevard. It offers amenities for all ages, including the first pickleball courts west of Ninth Street, a synthetic turf multi-sports field for community games, a tennis court, a pavilion and plaza, a spray ground, a playground and a walking path.

The project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act along with several major contributions. The Cincinnati Bengals and NFL Foundation Grassroots Program donated $250,000 to help build the turf field, while the Ohio Capital Impact Corporation provided $264,000 to create an accessible playground. The Louisville Metro Housing Authority and Russell residents also played a critical role in shaping the park’s design as part of ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts.

“New Walnut Street Park is more than just a green space; it’s a promise to the Russell community that revitalization means creating safer and better places for families to gather, children to play, and neighbors to connect,” said Elizabeth Strojan, executive director of the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, in a news release.

The new park is around the corner from the soon-to-open Baxter Community Center and the new Beecher Terrace apartments, which are now welcoming residents.

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