Phase 3A | Welcome

Visitors Center

The Visitors Center is envisioned as the heart of the Gardens’ guest experience. Upon arrival, guests would pass by this main building on their way to the Gardens. Conceptual plans include a restaurant and gift shop, meeting and event space, and the administrative offices. The building will be designed to meet the highest levels of sustainability.

Current concepts feature a green roof that will provide ample shade on the south and west sides, offering shelter to those coming and going from the gardens. To the east (on the gardens side), the roofline will begin at ground level and gently slope up to a rooftop terrace. Visitors could ascend to the top of the structure, where they will be afforded spectacular views of downtown Louisville and the river.

Just outside the Visitors Center, guests will find the circular Water Filtration Garden. This feature will collect “gray water” from the building and use plants to clean the water as it passes from pool to pool. The clean water from that garden will flow down waterfalls through the Cascade Garden near the Visitors Center entrance.

Entry Garden

The Entry Garden is planned along Frankfort Avenue, just south of the Founders’ Garden at the Heigold Façade. Conceptually, visitors would be able to park their cars on the west end of the gardens, taking a woodland path up the hill to the garden entrance at the Visitors Center. A driveway and entrance plaza would enable guests to be dropped off at the main building. Bike paths from River Road and the bike trail along Beargrass Creek ensure cyclists and pedestrians can easily access the site. This arrival experience is designed to be intentional and immersive, inviting visitors to explore something truly special.

As with all future phases, these plans are conceptual and will be refined as fundraising progresses.