‘Wide Open Spaces’ 🎶

A comprehensive guide to Lexington’s extraordinary parks

Two people walking through a floral and tree-lined path.

Take a hike at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. | Photo courtesy of Lexington Parks & Recreation

Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Lexington features 100+ parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of the Horse Capital of the World’s best:

Nature parks

Hisle Farm Park, 3601 Briar Hill Rd.
Hikers and horses find this ~280-acre park a haven away from city life, with a shared-use trail system featuring 1 and 2.5-mile trail options. Be sure to test your hand-eye coordination on the 10-lane target archery range.

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 5886 Jacks Creek Pike
If you’re a nature lover, then head out to the city’s 734-acre nature sanctuary featuring 10 miles of trails that pass through meadows, woodlands, and streams. It’s also a great spot for wildlife and wildflower viewing.

Family parks

Masterson Station, 3051 Leestown Rd.
At nearly 660 acres, this park has it all — equestrian facilities, paved walking paths, a massive dog park, an amphitheater, spray ground + so much more. Plus, it’s home to some of our favorite events including Kite Fest.

Castlewood Park, 201 Castlewood Dr.
Spanning over 32 acres in the Northside of town — near Greyline Station — families have access to inclusive playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields, and a covered picnic area. We love Northside Nights, the live concert series it hosts during the summer.

A group of people playing pickleball with a sunset. — Pickleball Courts at Kirklevington Park. | Photo courtesy of Lexington Parks & Recreation

Sports parks

Kirklevington, 396 Redding Rd.
Volleyball, pickleball, softball — you name it, Kirklevington’s got it. There’s also space for skateboarding, inclusive playground equipment, picnic tables, restrooms, and a paved walking path.

Woodland, 601 E. High St.
This park has it all. With inclusive playground equipment, a skateboarding area, an outdoor pool, tennis courts + more, there’s truly something for everyone. Be sure to check out the annual summertime staple, Woodland Art Fair.

Dog parks

Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd.
While this park is also a huge sports haven for humans, four-legged family members can get in on the fun with eight acres of space to run. There are two separate paddocks with shaded areas, water fountains to cool off, and benches for relaxing.

DISCOVER 10 MORE PARKS

What is your favorite park activity to do in our city?

A. Walking my dog
B. Spending time with the kiddos
C. Having a picnic
D. Jogging or working out

PARK PERFECTION

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, March 15

Little Sprouts | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 10-10:45 a.m. | The Arboretum, 500 Alumni Dr., Lexington | $4 | Children ages 3-5 will have fun learning about roots, fruits, and shoots with story time and hands-on exploration.
Playing With Pattern: Printmaking On Paper | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Rock House Brewing, 119 Luigart Ct., Lexington | Join Studio Mel Designs who will teach you how to make art using hand-carved stamps.

Thursday, March 16

Sippin’ with Griffin | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 6 p.m. | Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington | $20 | This tasting flight experience with Barrel House Distilling will pair small bites with each sample and walk you through the tasting, history, and mash bill.
NVRMND Acoustic Show | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 8 p.m. | Chevy Chase Inn, 833 E. Euclid Ave., Lexington | Free | This energetic 1990s rock cover band will be bringing all the hits to CCI.

Friday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day Fine Dining Event | Friday, Mar. 17 | 6-10 p.m. | Lyndon House Bed and Breakfast, 507 W. 5th St., Lexington | $85-$145 | This fine dining experience will give you five courses of elevated traditional Irish foods in an elegant historic bed and breakfast.

Saturday, March 18

Discovery Saturday | Saturday, Mar. 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Living Arts & Science Center, 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington | Free | Celebrate Women in Science while exploring the museum’s various offerings, including planetarium shows, art activities + more.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

52º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Civic

There’s still time to share your voice on Lexington’s Consolidated Plan, which designates funds for various housing + development grants. A second hearing will be held in the Council Chamber next Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m. and the public is invited to comment on housing and community development needs. (CivicLex)

Community

Lexington Parks & Recreation needs your input. Take this survey to share your feedback on new trail options for Jacobson Park. Feedback will be collected through Saturday, March 25.

Eat

Holly Hill Inn is bringing the flavors of Ireland to Kentucky. Reserve your table for the Celtic Lilt experience serving up five courses including Mussels and Forager’s Pie. Or, order a special take-home “Very Hearty St. Paddy’s Day Dinner for Two,” available for pick up on Friday, March 17.
Crave Taco Week begins next week bringing us $6 taco plates from 20+ restaurants Monday, March 20-Sunday, March 26. We’ve updated our guide + map so you can dive into some deliciousness.

Outdoors

Trees Lexington is hosting a tree giveaway on Saturday, March 25, in the Greyline Station parking lot. There will be 300 trees available on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Limit one tree per address.

Plan Ahead

The Garth Newel Piano Quartet is coming to The Singletary Center on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. for their first performance in Kentucky. The group will be playing selections from Mozart and Brahms. Watch this preview of their past performances.

Wellness

AG1 by Athletic Greens is so much more than “greens.” With one scoop, AG1 empowers the gut for whole-body health. (And, ICYMI, we can’t achieve a healthier everything else without a healthy gut.) Try it and receive a free one year supply of vitamin D and 5 free travel packs.*

DYK

Did you know our online store Six & Main features Sourhouse, a company that creates simple tools for sourdough bakers to care for their starters? The Goldie by Sourhouse + Cooling Puck is one of the most popular items. Let’s start baking. 🍞

Watch

It’s time for biscuits with the boss. Season three of “Ted Lasso” premieres today only on Apple TV+, which means AFC Richmond is hitting the pitch and Jason Sudeikis will surely have some feel-good life advice for us. Bonus: Get your first week free when you sign up to stream. 📺 *

Travel

Looking for a vibrant place with scenic outdoors and an expansive culinary scene? Explore Greenville, SC where eclectic dining, outdoor adventures + natural beauty awaits. Check out travel inspo so you can start planning your trip.*

Finance

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — and its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards a more comfortable retirement. Try it out for yourself.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Stress less at the airport

Enroll in TSA PreCheck ahead of spring travel

Cut down your travel time with TSA PreCheck. | Photo via Pexels

Planning a spring getaway? Don’t forget to add TSA PreCheck enrollment to your pre-vacay to-do list.

The government program provides an expedited security lane at 200+ airports for travelers that pass a security screening — which includes a short application and a 10-minute in-person enrollment appointment — and are given a Known Traveler Number. Bonus: The screening is good for five years and costs $78.

The main benefit of enrolling? Save time when traveling. Recent data found that 96% of TSA PreCheck passengers spent less than five minutes at airport security checkpoints.

To apply, find out if you are eligible, then fill out an application and schedule an appointment at a nearby enrollment center. Most people will know if their application has been approved within three to five days.

Psst — don’t forget to read our airport guide before heading to LEX, and grab these airport essentials: a memory foam travel pillow, this smart luggage carry-on set, and an AirFly wireless headphones transmitter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Molly.

Editor’s pick: Have you checked out our store Six & Main recently? There are so many cute new additions from local jewelry maker, M+H Beads. Fun fact: Use code MOLLYHTHOMPSON and you’ll get 20% off your order.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Don’t forget to cast your votes in our LEXtoday Brewery Bracket.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Molly Thompson, Aayat Ali, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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