Today’s Forecast

47º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 8:00 a.m. | Sunset 5:39 p.m.

Great news for locals: Share good, local news with your neighbors on Nextdoor and be entered for a chance to win $500 cash. Now, through Monday, May 8, share a favorite story using the “Share on Nextdoor” icon online, and you’ll be entered to win. Learn more.

⛲ We’ve got two tickets to park paradise

4 new parks coming to Louisville

Wooden playground with a yellow tube slide and giant, orange music notes.

The forthcoming Alberta Jones Park was named after the first Black woman to pass the Kentucky Bar exam. | Rendering by Earthscape Play

Jefferson County is home to over 150 parks — from our mighty flagships like Cherokee and Iroquois Parks to tiny neighborhood parks — and that number is growing.

Over the next few years, Derby City will add at least five new parks to that number. Here’s a look at what’s to come.

Alberta Jones Park, California Neighborhood

After a devastating flood in 2009, 20+ acres of land along Maple Street between Dr. W. J. Hodge and 25th Street was permanently conserved as greenspace. Now, the unused area is being transformed into a music-themed park that will encourage natural, non-prescriptive play. The first phase of construction began in March 2023. No official opening date has been set — but we can’t wait to see the giant music notes.

Watercolor rendering of a park — The park is part of the Choice Neighborhoods revitalization efforts in the Russell neighborhood and is a partnership between Louisville Parks and Recreation and Louisville Metro Housing Authority.
|
Rendering provided by Vision Russell

13th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard, Russell neighborhood

This yet-to-be-named, 6.74-acre park will replace the former Old Walnut Street Park in the area that was used in the Beecher Terrace Apartments development. Residents are helping to name the future park — which is expected to open in 2024. A football field, playground, splash park, and pavilion are all part of the plan.

Waterfront Park Phase IV, 10th and 15th Streets

Waterfront Park broke ground on its fourth expansion last October. The 22-acre expansion will connect West Louisville to the downtown area by solidifying the Riverwalk and Louisville Loop. A giant playground with three play zones dubbed PlayWorks is also a main feature of the project. A completion date has not been announced.

Beargrass Preserve, Cherokee Park

Thanks to the largest financial gift in Olmsted Park Conservancy history, 25 more acres are being added to Cherokee Park. Construction on the expansion is still in the distant future, but Olmsted Park selected Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group to create the master plan back in February.

All this park news got you buzzing to head outside? Check out our guide to parks in LOU.

Asked

What flagship park in LOU do you visit the most?

A. Cherokee Park
B. Iroquois Park
C. Shawnee Park

Vote here

Events

Thursday, May 4

Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront | Thursday, May 4-Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Waterfront Park, 131 River Rd., Louisville | Free with Pegasus Pin | Catch a concert, ride midway rides, enjoy fair-style food + more.
Julep Soul Experience | Thursday, May 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Canary Club, 1247 S. Shelby St., Louisville | Free | Sip juleps on the lush patio of this Shelby Park wine bar.

Friday, May 5

Kegs and Eggs | Friday, May 5 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lou Lou Food + Drink, 108 Sears Ave., Louisville | Start your Oaks day with a Cajun breakfast + enjoy a special bar menu with proceeds from the event benefitting APRON Inc.
Sherby 11 | Friday, May 5 | 3-11:55 p.m. | Highlands, 2091 Sherwood Ave., Louisville | $20 | Ring in the greatest two minutes in sports at this Derby Eve neighborhood festival with live music + vendors.
Gary Clark Jr. | Friday, May 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Rd., Louisville | $35.50-$65.50 | Hear this GRAMMY Award-winning musician best known for his blues, rock, and R&B influenced music — like his 2001 song “When My Train Pulls In.”
The Taylor Swift Party | Friday, May 5 | 9 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. 4th St., Louisville | $15-$25 | Calling all Swifites — hear your favorite songs at this T-Swift-inspired dance party.
Shaker Village Music on the Lawn | Friday, May 5-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | Free | Venture out to historic Harrodsburg for an evening of live music, outdoor dining, and drinks around the fire pit at Shaker Village.*

Saturday, May 6

149th Kentucky Derby | Saturday, May 6 | 9 a.m. | Churchill Downs, 700 Central Ave., Louisville | $82-$5,750 | Watch the most exciting two minutes in sports at the track or on TV.

Sunday, May 7

First Sunday Nature Stroll: Birds, Bees, Flowers, Trees | Sunday, May 7 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | $10-$15 | Hike with a volunteer naturalist through the forest.

Tuesday, May 9

Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers | Tuesday, May 9 | 6:05 p.m. | Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St., Louisville | $9-$56 | Enjoy $2 hot dogs, popcorn, chips + sodas while cheering on the bats.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

Let’s meet + greet

LOUtoday After Oaks Meet + Greet

Join us for a few unbridled spirits. | Graphic by LOUtoday

We’re just two days away from hosting our free LOUtoday after-oaks event. Are you on the list?

We’re taking over The Local Seltzery this Friday, May 5 to host a little Derby-time soiree from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. And the best part — aside from meeting the folks who bring you this newsletter every day — there’s free food. Here’s how we’re getting down after Churchill Downs:

Get 50% off seltzers and cocktails — like the Sparkling Julep and NuLu Lily
Enjoy charcuterie boards from Cultured, popcorn, and hummus plates
Meet + greet with Katie, Lennie, and Mandey

We’d love the chance to meet you, so don’t forget to let us know you’re coming— and be sure to tell a friend or two.

RSVP — it's free

News Notes

Opening

Bae’s Bakery is hosting its grand opening on Saturday, May 20. The bakery announced the expansion into the former Sweet Surrender location on Frankfort Avenue in March. The ribbon cutting will be at 12 p.m. followed by the debut of new espresso drinks, breakfast sandos, gluten-free goodies, and more.

Edu

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is slated to spend ~$32 million in athletic facility upgrades at 16 schools. New turf fields, tracks, bleachers, concession stands, and press boxes are all part of the plan — which is the largest renovation of its kind in JCPS history. Construction will start this summer. (Louisville Business First)

Transit

Hop on the bus, Gus. TARC is offering free bus rides from 4 a.m. on Friday, May 5 to 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 7 thanks to a partnership with Blue Moon. Riders don’t have to be going to Churchill Downs to get in on the free fare— just hop on.

Civic

It’s Air Quality Awareness Week, so we thought it would be a great time to revisit our story on how to read and track air quality alerts in Louisville. Learn more about the Air Quality Index + sign up for alerts.

Number

35,000. That’s the number of Woodford Reserve bourbon balls Derby greeters at the Muhammad Ali International Airport intend to pass out over the next three days. The terminal is also decorated with 3,000 fresh roses to give travelers a warm Run for the Roses welcome.
10 days. That’s how long you have until Mother’s Day. The good news? That gives you just enough time to order a gift from Quince — a brand offering high-end and sustainable products at affordable prices. Think: European linen shorts, silk slip dresses, cashmere crewnecks + Italian leather totes. Shop now.

Closed

Taco Luchador closed its largest Louisville location at the Colonial Gardens in South Louisville. The Mexican-style taco joint opened less than four years ago + leaves behind a 4,500-sqft restaurant. Its three other locations in the Highlands, St. Matthews, and J-town remain open. (WDRB)

Today Is

Star Wars Day — May the 4th be with you. The informal commemorative holiday started in 2011 and celebrates the “Star Wars” franchise, which began in 1977. Join fellow fans at the “Attack of the Tassels” burlesque show at Zanzabar tonight at 9 p.m. in the St. Joseph neighborhood.

Announced

Congrats to Jim M., winner of our Grand Prix Getaway giveaway in partnership with Visit Indy. You’re off to the races.*

Drink

Hint is the water that actually makes us want to drink water. Shop from their top sellers + online exclusive flavors and get 45% off three cases for just $36. (That’s $1 per bottle plus free shipping.) Just use code 6AMCITY.*

Announced

May 3, 2023 declared Jackman Day

Mayor Craig Greenberg declares May 3, 2023 Jackman Day

Gathering of people behind a wooden podium.

May 3 is now Jackman Day in Louisville. | Photo by LOUtoday

At the official dedication of Jack Harlow’s Hometown Heroes banner yesterday, Mayor Craig Greenberg declared May 3, 2023 Jackman Day in Louisville.

Jack’s parents, Congressman Morgan McGarvey, and Governor Andy Beshear were also at the ceremony where it was also announced that Jack has moved back to Derby City.

“I cannot remember a time when someone, at least at this time, at the height of their career said they were going to move back to their home state — they were going to move back to their hometown. At a time when Jack could’ve chosen to be anywhere he wanted to be right here with us,” Governor Beshear said in a speech.

When Jack took to the podium to speak about his banner, he candidly shared that he felt pretty emotional and didn’t prepare a speech — he wanted to speak from the heart. “If someone asked me if I would rather have a GRAMMY or this, I would choose this a million times,” Jack said.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Katie

From the editor

I’m stoked about all the new parks coming to Derby City, but I’m equally as excited about the new Japanese Garden coming to the Waterfront Botanical Gardens.

The two-acre garden designed by world-renowned garden designer Shiro Nakane will feature a traditional tea house, cherry trees, a waterfall, and bonsai garden.

Construction crews broke ground on the $22 million Japanese Garden project last September and it’s expected to be open by the end of 2024.

Missed yesterday's newsletter?

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY