We would love to customize the lighting on the Big Four Bridge for your charitable cause or special event. Individuals and organizations have an opportunity to choose their colors to be displayed for an evening, weekend, or week. Please see our Big Four Bridge Page for more information and rates, and fill out an application below.
Our park features the Brown Forman Amphitheater Docks (by Towhead Island). Docking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we suggest and would appreciate a donation of $50 per day. Be mindful that docks may be closed during large events. We recommend you call ahead for information. Water and electric hookups may be available.
Docking donation fees are applied to weekend and daily use. Special event docking such as concerts will be assessed on a per boat per night basis based on the type of event.
Events affecting transient docking:
July 12-14 (Tri Louisville)
July 26-28 (Big Stomp Fest)
August 16-18 (Ironman 70.3)
For more information on special event boat docking, please contact:
Alex Vega, Park Coordinator
alexander.vega@louisvilleky.gov
We reserve a portion of the Brown Forman Amphitheater Docks for seasonal and annual rentals. Please pay attention to signs designating reserved slips. Boaters who wish to dock overnight, please fill out our online form below. By completing the form you agree to follow Docking Rules & Regulations set by Waterfront Park.
We offer seasonal and annual boat slip rentals in the dock area near Towhead Island, called the Amphitheater Docks. Monthly fees include electricity, garbage, parking, sewage pump, and access to Louisville’s premier park. Lease terms begin on May 1 each year and are available for six and 12-month terms.
Click here for more information
For more information, please contact:
Alex Laughlin, Director of Maintenance
alexander.laughlin@louisvilleky.gov
If you are interested in photographing or filming in Waterfront Park for commercial purposes, please apply for a permit. We require 14 days to process the permit and make accommodations for your production. For additional information (including rates) please complete our online form below.
For more information, please contact:
Catie Nelson, Director of Events
catie@ourwaterfront.org
Our vending season runs from May 1 until November 15. The Waterfront team selects specific locations for vendors in the park. We limit vendor sites to help these businesses become and remain successful. We review vendor proposals in the fall and winter. Those chosen will sign a license agreement defining the vendor’s location, operating hours, menu, payment for the vending license (10% of gross), and the requirement of a cell phone. We also require permits from the local health department and Louisville Metro.
Applications for 2024 vendors are currently closed.
The Waterfront Development Review Overlay (WRO) District is a special ordinance that governs the Louisville Waterfront District.
Click here for a map of the WRO District.
There is a design approval process, known as the WRO permitting process, that governs all construction projects and signage proposed within the WRO District. Projects within this district require design review approval by the Waterfront team.
There is a fee associated with each WRO application. Staff Review of an application is $100 and Committee Review is $250. A payment link will be sent after receipt of the application.
Waterfront Park, with a group of architects from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, reviews each project application using the principles and guidelines listed in Sections 162.40-162.48 of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances. These guidelines specify, among other things, that development must enhance waterfront scenic qualities and be sensitive to the area’s unique environmental conditions.
If you are proposing any development activity within the WRO District, please contact the WRO Administrator at 502-574-3768 to discuss your project.