Park Permits

 

Big Four Bridge Special Lighting

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.

Big Four Bridge Special Lighting Request Application
 

Transient Docking

Our park features two sets of docks: Harbor Docks (by the Great Lawn) and the 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. Please do not make a donation to reserve a slip for Thunder Over Louisville, contact us directly if you are interested.

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. For more information on special event boat docking, please contact:

Alex Vega, Park Coordinator
alexander.vega@louisvilleky.gov

We reserve a portion of the 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.

Permit Request Form
 

Seasonal Docking Slips

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:
Gary Pepper, Facilities Director
gary.pepper@louisvilleky.gov

Submit Email Request
 

Commercial Filming/Photography

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

Film Permit Application
 

Vending

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.

 

Waterfront Design Review

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.

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.

Call WRO Administrator
 

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