Ballard Park is about to get a makeover.

The Parks Alliance of Louisville announced final designs for a renovation at Ballard Park. The $1.3 million investment is from the nonprofit’s Parks For All Equitable Investment plan and in partnership with Smoketown residents, Louisville Parks and Recreation, and Councilman Jecorey Arthur.

Here's what the new Ballard Park will include:

New picnic pavilion
Colorful basketball court
Playground with swings, slides, and natural play equipment
Butterfly garden
Fitness area

The designs for the renovated park come from a collaboration between the Parks Alliance and the Smoketown Anti-Violence Coalition, which was formed in 2021 in response to the death of DaJuan Coward in Ballard Park.

The new design expands the footprint of the playground, adds a picnic pavilion, and fills the area with tree shade. | Photo by Parks Alliance Louisville

The plans were unveiled piece by piece online throughout Thursday, Sept. 12 — that was Give for Good Day in Derby City. The Park's Alliance revealed snippets of the plan through the day — like renderings of a new playground at 9 a.m., a new basketball court at 7 p.m., and the full rendering at 10 p.m.

The idea worked — In total, 140 supporters gave $21,000 to the Ballard Park renovation project by the end of the day.

Groundbreaking on the park is set for next year — contingent on funding. You can make a one-time or recurring donation for yourself on in honor of someone else. Include this last line at the end