Waterfront Botanical Gardens

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

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Waterfront Botanical Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky, occupies 23 acres in the historic Butchertown neighborhood and is built on a site once used as a city landfill and prone to 19th- and 20th-century floods.

The development of the gardens began in 2017, with phase one opening in 2019, including the Graeser Family Education Center and Mary Lee Duthie Gardens, with ongoing expansions planned. The gardens combine lush, sustainable landscapes with educational programming, featuring trails, water features, and a variety of themed gardens including a highly anticipated Japanese and Bonsai garden.

The site honors its complex history, transforming a former industrial and dumping ground into a vibrant community space for horticultural education, conservation, and public enjoyment. It offers a peaceful oasis that integrates art, culture, and nature while serving as a model for urban ecological restoration and community revitalization.