Today’s Forecast

77º | Mostly sunny | 3% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:19 a.m. | Sunset 8:50 p.m.

✨ Downtown’s glow up

What’s in store for Phoenix Park

Renderings for Phoenix Park that show proposed improvements, including a new dog park.

The downtown park is one step closer to being reimagined. | Photos courtesy of Element Design

The redevelopment of Phoenix Park is gaining traction after years of stagnation.

Last week, Mayor Linda Gorton’s $505 million budget detailed a ~$2 million proposal that would go towards reimagining the downtown park at the corner of Main Street and South Limestone.

The total cost of the project, which includes both public and government input, would be around $4.6 million and come from —

~$1.6 million in partnership opportunities
$1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding
~$613,000 in future phase options
~$604,000 in value engineered options

The renderings of Phoenix Park come from local landscape architect Element Design, which is known for its work at the Kentucky Children’s Garden in the Arboretum, as well as international firm Gresham Smith.

Proposed additions to the park include —

A redesigned dog park
A small stage
A playground
Leveling the entrance with the street
Public art
Turf mounds
Water fountains

Once completed, the park will connect to the ongoing Town Branch Park project and boost the walkability of downtown. Local groups have advocated for the redesign for years, particularly as the area has seen exponential growth in recent years with the inclusion of mix-use building City Center and the revamp of Rupp Arena.

There will be Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting today at 1 p.m. to discuss the proposed budget. This meeting is open to the public or can be watched online. The COW will take a final vote on the budget at the beginning of June, and if the park’s proposal is given the green light, construction could begin as soon as spring 2024.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Kentucky

Events

Tuesday, April 25

Tea Tuesday | Tuesday, April 25-Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 2-4 p.m. | Waveland State Historic Site, 225 Waveland Museum Ln., Lexington | $35 | Enjoy a special tea service with three tasty courses served by period-dressed interpreters, then take a stroll to explore the historic mansion.
Cookbook Club | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 5-6 p.m. | Lexington Public Library, Eastside Branch, 3000 Blake James Dr., Lexington | Free | Bring your favorite recipes to share, discuss, and connect with fellow club members.
Late Nights at Red Mile | Tuesday, Apr. 25-Monday, Oct. 2 | 11 p.m. | Red Mile Gaming & Racing, 1101 Winbak Way, Lexington | Free | Don’t miss Late Night Breakfast with $5 food, late night drawings, live music + more.*

Wednesday, April 26

Beginner Dance Classes | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 7-8 p.m. | Julietta Market, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free | Dance away any midweek blues with free Salsa + Bachata classes with instructors from The Salsa Center.
5 Across Entrepreneur Pitch Competition | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 5-7 p.m. | Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St., Lexington | $5 | Network with local entrepreneurs, eat some good food, and watch as startups compete for a chance to win cash prizes.

Thursday, April 27

Thursday Night Live | Thursday, April 27-Thursday, Oct. 12 | 5-8 p.m. | Fifth Third Bank Pavilion, 251 W. Main St., Lexington | Free | Head downtown for the perfect post-work wind down with your friends featuring live music, tasty beverages, and delicious food.
Black Phoenix Book Club | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Black Phoenix Co., 1701 Alexandria Dr., Lexington | $10 | Join fellow Black women for snacks and discussion of the book, “The Other Black Girl.”

Saturday, April 29

Family Farm Days | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | $0-$16 | Meet Shaker Village’s new “farm-ily” members including lambs, kids, and piglets, plus enjoy activities like sheep shearing, wagon, and pony rides.*

Events calendar here

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Shop

4 things to love about Shady Rays’s Tangle Free Aviators

Presented by a LEXtoday Partner

Every pair of Shady Rays’s sunglasses has polarized lenses. | Photo by Shady Rays

Picture this: It’s the first hot day of the summer, and you just got to the pool. You push your aviators on top of your head to check out the scene. Before you know it, your hair is tangled up in your sunglasses, and you can’t get them out without a good yank. Ouch.

We’ve all been there. Sunglasses and tangled hair is a tale as old as time, but with Shady Rays Tangle Free Aviators, it doesn’t have to be — they’re reinventing sunglasses with their stylish, unique design.

Here are four things to love:

A patent-pending design that prevents hair of all types from snags
Timeless, stylish options
Lightweight, yet durable frames
Lost and Broken protection with every pair (read: if you lose or break your shades, you’re eligible for a replacement — details here)

Ready to grab your first pair? Code 6AM30 gets you 30% off all shades online or in-store (in the Summit at Fritz Farm), plus an extra 10% off in-store only if you mention this article. 🕶️ *

Try Shady Rays

News Notes

Open

El Mariachi has officially opened its new location at 391 Rose St., aka the former BurgerFi near UK’s campus. This marks the third spot for the Mexican eatery, which features favorites like birria tacos and margaritas.

Watch

ABC36 will host a new daytime show featuring a diverse panel of female journalists + local influencers. “Let’s Talk Kentucky” will air weekdays at 12:30 p.m. and cover a variety of topics that impact the Bluegrass, including business, lifestyle, well-being. Catch the first episode on Monday, May 1. (The Lane Report)

Sports

Our UK men’s basketball team will represent the US at this year’s 2023 GLOBL JAM, an international showcase of collegiate basketball teams. The event will run from Wednesday, July 12-Sunday, July 16 at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre. (UK Athletics)

Edu

Fayette County Public School students now have a chance to earn dual college credit — for free. Thanks to a $3.5 million investment from the Fayette County Board of Education, high school students can now sign up to attend classes at Bluegrass Community and Technical College or Eastern Kentucky University this summer.

List

Congrats to Castle & Key Distillery for being nominated to USA Today’s 10Best list for Best Craft Distillery Tour and Best Craft Whiskey. The public can vote for the Frankfort distiller until Monday, May 15.

Plan Ahead

Lexington, come on down. The Price is Right Live is coming to Rupp Arena on Sunday, Oct. 29. Set your alarms to snag tickets when they go on sale Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. for a chance to (potentially) win prizes including vacations, appliances, or a new car.

Kids

Two words: free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling everyday this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.

Wellness

In a world where prescription meds seem to be the only option, Thesis helps thousands of people improve cognitive functioning and eliminate distractions with natural adaptogens. Take their three-minute quiz to find your personalized blends — then get 15% off your order with code 6amcity.*

Event

🌹 Run for the roses

Kentucky Derby events around Lexington

We love Louisville, but sometimes the best place to celebrate the Derby is here at home. | Photo courtesy of EquiSport Photos

While the Keeneland Spring Meet is already in the rearview mirror, Lexington isn’t quite ready to rein in horse-racing season.

Grab your hats, fascinators, and julep cups — LEX explore our roundup of Kentucky Derby events in the Horse Capital of the World:

Friday, May 2

Blue Jeans, Boots and Bulls | Bluegrass Stockyards
Enjoy an evening of music, food, and auctions to support Coaches for Kids. The event takes place 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. + tickets start at $100.

Soul of Thoroughbred Racing | Kentucky Horse Park
Discover the entwined histories of African Americans and horse racing before enjoying the famous fish fry and Derby fashion show.

51st Annual Poor Man’s Harlan County Derby Eve Party | Kentucky K Club
Get ready for the races by enjoying live music and catering from Joe Bologna’s, plus Boomerang beer cheese in support of Shannon’s Angels.

Saturday, May 3

Derby Day | Keeneland
Celebrate the Run for the Roses at our very own home to horses with live music, food trucks, and family activities.

Derby Day | Red Mile Gaming & Racing
Test your luck, don your best hat, and eat through a Kentucky-themed buffet.

Derby Party Feast | West Sixth Brewing
Sample curated pairings or select your own brew to sip while you feast on everything from ham biscuits with apple butter to chocolate bourbon pecan pie.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

Lexington Coffee Week has detailed some of its exclusive drinks that will be available Sunday, May 7-Saturday, May 13. I’ve got my eye on the Smoked Applewood Shaken Espresso from Broomwagon Bikes + Coffee.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Explore several opportunities for artists around town.

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