One of the biggest local attractions is the Louisville parks system. There are more than 120 public parks in the metro area alone, many created by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. Olmstead was a nationally-renown landscape architect responsible for creating Central Park in New York.
Two of Louisville's most beloved parks, Cherokee Park and Iroquois Park, were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. With amenities like a 2.4 mile scenic loop, a fenced dog park, and a bird sanctuary, Cherokee Park entertains close to 500,000 visitors a year, making it one of the 50 most-visited parks in the United States. First planned as a "scenic reservation" by Frederick Law Olmstead, Iroquois Park is known for its panoramic views, its large open-air amphitheater, and its golf course.
Louisville's Waterfront Park was not designed by Olmstead. In fact, Waterfront Park did not exist until 1986 when it was developed as a means of reclaiming a viable green space on the river. At that time, Downtown Louisville was one of the most rundown areas of the city, and Waterfront Park was one of the first initiatives to bring city life back there.
Waterfront Park is now a favorite recreation area among Louisville residents of all ages. It is the top destination for major local events like Thunder Over Louisville as well as smaller events and concerts in the warmer months. The third and final phase of the development of Waterfront Park is the conversion of the Big Four railroad bridge to a walking bridge that will allow pedestrians to walk across the Ohio River from Kentucky to Indiana. This is scheduled for completion in 2011.
