Overlook Restoration sponsored by the Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation has announced a $600,000 grant to restore a declining area of Waterfront Park, a hub of nature and recreation that promotes physical and mental wellness for our community. The Overlook at Waterfront Park, one of the first portions of the park constructed in 1998, is set to undergo a complete restoration beginning in September. This area is home to the iconic Gracehoper Sculpture by Tony Smith, gifted by the Humana Foundation to the Kentucky Center for the Arts in honor of its first chairman, Wendell Cherry. It is currently on long-term loan to Waterfront Park for the community’s enjoyment.

The area is composed of a crushed granite surface and once featured 80 locust trees. The trees never thrived and many have died. This restoration project will include excavating the soil, removing dozens of dead and declining trees, and replacing them with species better suited for the environmental conditions of the space. The crushed granite surface will be replaced with more than an acre of grass, and a new plaza will be installed in the center of the Overlook to accommodate special events. Additionally, new soil and a subsurface irrigation system will be installed for the long-term care of the new vegetation, and the light poles, benches, and trash cans will receive a fresh coat of paint.

By replacing the dead and declining tree canopy and increasing the green space, this project will help reduce the urban heat island effect, improve water quality by absorbing and filtering stormwater, and enhance air quality by removing pollutants from the air. The work is anticipated to be completed during the winter months, with completion planned for spring 2025.

This restoration is made possible through the generous support of the Humana Foundation in honor of the 25th anniversary of Waterfront Park.