The Waterfront Botanical Gardens (WBG) received $1.5 million in state funding to get the ball rolling on its two-acre Japanese Garden.
The funding will go toward the construction of an access road that will be used to keep heavy machinery off the main drag at the gardens located at 1435 Frankfort Ave. + will also allow for a new pipe system to help with drainage at the site.
The Japanese Garden is part of WBG’s Phase 1Dexpansion and was designed by Japanese landscaperShiro Nakane of Nakane & Associates.
Bonsai and tea gardens + a bamboo grove will grow onsite. | Rendering from Waterfront Botanical Gardens
The new garden will be an authentic Japanese garden, meaning its design is accompanied by Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideas while highlighting the natural landscape + avoiding artificial ornamentation.
Here are a few of the main features of the garden, which are also available for sponsorships ranging from $25,000 to $1 million.
Waterfall + pond — The pond will be fed by the waterfall and stocked with koi.
Tea House — The Chashitsu (tea room) will allow guests to view and participate in traditional tea ceremonies.
Autumn Grassland — After the flowers are gone, grasses will flourish through multiple seasons
Pebble beach — Smooth, dark stones will represent the foam of an ocean
Cherry Tree Promenade
Three bridges — Arched Bridge, Stone bridge + Yatsuhashi (zig-zag) Bridge
A Summer House will also be built with a stream flowing under it. | Rendering from Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Crews are expected to break ground later this year on the project, but you can start immersing yourself in Japanese culture at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens at one of these upcoming events.
Japanese Calligraphy | Tues., July 5 | 6-7:30 p.m. | $20 for members, $25 for non-members | Learn the basic calligraphy skills and how to write Japanese characters surrounded by fresh-cut flowers + views of the gardens
Ikebana | Sat., July 9 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $100 for members, $125 for non-members | In this four-hour workshop, you’ll learn the Japanese art of flower arrangement and leave with a new creation + a sushi lunch is provided.
Use the buttons below to share this project with your garden loving pals.
The Moth StorySLAM | Tues., June 21 | 8 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall | $15 | Watch five randomly selected storytellers tell five-minute, impromptu stories revolving around the theme of birthdays. 🎙️
Wednesday
Retro Wednesday | Wed., June 22 | 9:30-11:55 p.m. | Sauerback Family Drive-In $10 per carload | Catch back-to-back screenings of “Jumanji” + “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” on the big screen.
Thursday
Plant Based Junk Food | Thurs., June 23 | 4-9 p.m. | Gallant Fox Brewing, 2132 Frankfort Ave. | Free to attend | Vuture Food will be slinging vegan comfort food like crispy chicken sandwiches + loaded fries at this Clifton brewery.
Blessings in a Backpack 0.5k | Sat., June 25 | 11 a.m. | Lynn Family Stadium | $35+ | With only 546 yards to run or walk, this is not your typical race + a post-race party at the stadium. 🎽
Cars in the Commons | Sat., June 25 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Norton Commons | Free | See 100+ exotic cars in North Village Square + a parade at 3 p.m. 🚗
Sunday
Summer Antiques Market | Sun., June 26 | 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Historic Locust Grove | $8, free for children under 12 | Scour antique treasures with 50+ regional and nationally-recognized dealers slated to participate and admission includes tours of the property. 🗝️
Monday
Wine Education: Agave | Mon., June 27 | 7-9 p.m. | Nouvelle Bar & Bottle | $60 | Taste + explore the diverse world of Agave-based spirits with Harry Webler of Skurnik import group.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
We’d never guess that these chic patio chairs are made from recycled water bottles. | Photo provided by Outer
If you hear the word “wicker” and think of a frumpy, broken piece of furniture, you’re not alone — but thanks to Outer, a company that crafts stylish outdoor furniture with an eye toward sustainability, it’s time to rethink wicker.
By using recycled water bottles as source material, Outer has created eco-friendly wicker furniture that not only looks ultra-modern, but is durable enough to last a decade.
Bonus: Each cushion uses triple memory foam for max comfiness.*
Six buildings along East Broadway are being revitalized into a new historic district, Epping District. The project aims to transform the former John G. Epping Bottling Works, Broadway Theatre + others into potential retail spaces, restaurants, and offices. Some tenants are already on board like Elixir Kombucha and Kertis Creative. (Louisville Business First)
Announced
Nobody puts Baby in the corner. “Dirty Dancing in Concert” will be step ball changing its way to the Kentucky Center on Wed., Nov. 9. The experience features the 1980s classic on a cinema screen with a live band + singers performing the hit songs. Tickets go on sale Fri., June 24. 💃
The Clark Memorial Bridge — aka the Second Street Bridge — will be partially closedthrough Fri., June 24 for inspection. Derby City drivers should expect double-lane closures on the part of I-65 that crosses under the bridge all week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ⛔ (WHAS11)
Today Is
The summersolstice, aka the day with the longest period of sunlight all year long. Read: More time to grill out tonight — try these summer recipes from Kroger.*
Sports
Dog Day at the Parkhas been canceled today at Slugger Field. While your furry friend has to stay home, the game will go on against the Iowa Cubs at 7:05 p.m. + it’s $1 hot dog night, so not all is lost. New dog day dates (say that five times fast) are coming soon. ⚾
Community
Back in May, we posted about the blossoming pollinator habitat zone near Waterfront Park planted by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet + now the agency is expanding its roadside gardens by including them in new highway builds. By the end of the year, KYTC plans to have 50 more acres planted. 🦋 (WDRB)
Outdoors
Bernheim Forest’s sensory garden has reopened and expanded. The changes — plant beds that engage all five senses + an evergreen quiet space — make the garden more accessible for visitors with sensory sensitivities or challenges. 🌱 (WFPL)
Louisvillian
Author Sallie Bingham will be launching her latest book, “Little Brother,” at Carmichael’s Bookstore on Frankfort Avenue on Thurs., June 23 at 7 p.m. Sallie will be reading from her new book about her little brother Jonathan and his all-too-brief life followed by a conversation. Pre-register for this free event. 📘
Try This
Thanks to Bluegrass Motorsports you can now drive around LOU like a celeb. The auto dealer — located at 4720 Bowling Blvd. in St. Matthews — is the 11th dealership in the country to offer Porsche Drive. The rental service allows users to rent a Porsche on a short-term or long-term basis. (Louisville Business First)
Eat
Don’t just eat better — eat the best.Sunbasket’smeal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefsstraight to your front door. Bonus: LOUtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveriesand more when they sign up. 🍽️ *
A health message from our sponsor
“I have a question for you: How often are you going to the bathroom? Too often? Not often enough? Maybe you’re like me — I used to go once or twice a week, which I thought was normal until I discovered this one trick to healthier bathroom habits.” *
Content marked with a * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
It’s the first day of summer and the Phoenix Hill NuLu Farmers Market is in full swing for the season. Stop by the market today (and every Tuesday)from 3-6 p.m. at Fresh Start Growers’ Supply at 1007 E. Market St. to shop locally-grown veggies + flowers.
Pro tip: Grab a pre- or post-shopping beer from West Sixth NuLu down the street.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick:Reading about “Dirty Dancing Live in Concert” coming to Louisville in November jogged my memory to a short film I watched during the 2022 Louisville Film Society Short Film Slam back in May.
Video artist + Louisvillian Sarah Lasley submitted her short film “How I Choose to Spend the Remainder of My Birthing Years” in which she recounts a childhood fantasy set to the love scene from “Dirty Dancing” on a green screen.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
