Timeline

• October, 2011 | The first mention of redesigning the area is brought up at a community meeting.
• November, 2015 | New York firm Scape/Landscape Architecture was selected to design the park.
• June, 2017 | The park hits $5 million in funding
• 2018-2022 | Throughout this time, millions of dollars were raised and donated to the project and ~16,000 community members submitted their thoughts on what they’d like to see included in the space.
• September, 2022 | Finalized renderings + plans were unveiled
• June, 2023 | Phase 1 funding, totaling $39 million, was completed — giving the green light for construction.

Something for everyone

• 4,000-person amphitheater + high tech stage
• Children’s playground
• Educational and interactive water play area
• Food and beverage options
• A butterfly garden
• Dog parks for small and large dogs
• Art installations
• A recreation lawn
• A reading room

Directions

• If you’re driving down Oliver Lewis Way towards Newtown Pike, look to the right of the overpass.
• If you’re driving into downtown on Main Street, right before the Central Bank Center, look to the right.

• Ben Lacy | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Epping’s on Eastside, 264 Walton Ave., Lexington | Free | Enjoy the musical stylings of guitar virtuoso Ben Lacy during happy hour and dinner service every Wednesday evening.
• Circles Around the Sun (Indoor Show) | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 8 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $28 | See this Los Angeles-based instrumental supergroup play from their new album “Language.”

• Crank & Boom Takeover | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 4-8 p.m. | DV8 Kitchen, 594 E. Third St., Lexington | Price of purchase | This delicious collaboration will feature four dishes that combine ingredients from each location, like ice cream sandwiches and nachos.

• Painting Class at the Vineyard | Friday, Aug. 18 | 6-7 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, 5199 Combs Ferry Rd., Winchester | $45 | Sip on a glass of wine while you tap into your inner Monet + paint a colorful flower masterpiece.

• Triple Crown Trot 5K | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 7-10 a.m. | Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, 5095 Frankfort Rd., Versailles | $35-$65 | Run or walk the beautiful grounds of this historic horse farm in support of the Woodford Humane Society.
• Doggie Paddle | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Southland Aquatic Center, 625 Hill N Dale Rd., Lexington | $10-$20 | Enjoy pet-related vendors, shop merchandise, and mingle with fellow animal lovers at the largest pool party for dogs.

• A new healthy Asian restaurant is coming to campus this October at 341 S. Limestone, next to Chipotle. Okome Asian Grill will feature a menu of customizable rice, noodle, and lettuce bowls with a variety of proteins, veggies, and sauces. Bonus: It’s totally gluten-free. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

• Congratulations to Chef Ouita Michel, whose video series “Up Home” has been selected as a finalist for a 2023 International Association of Culinary Professionals Digital Media Award. Her passion project takes a deeper look into the culinary world of Central Kentucky with Ouita’s friends and neighbors.

• Say konnichiwa to the newest business calling Lexington home — Funai Microfluidic Solutions. The Japanese high-speed printing business is the first Japanese company to choose Kentucky for its headquarters. (WEKU)

• Coles 735 Main is bringing back its nonprofit dinner series called Coles Community Table. Reserve your table now for Wednesday, Aug. 23 where proceeds from the evening will support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

• Plan ahead for the Arboretum’s Fall Bird Walk on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 8 a.m. The free event will take place during fall migration, so all ages are invited to learn how to identify migratory birds by sight and sound. Space is limited so email to secure your spot.

• $813,671,000. That’s about how much money all utility workers in the state make in a year. Research from Venture Smarter found that employees in the utilities sector — think electric power, natural gas, and sewage — earn the highest average salary in the state at ~$100,000 per year. (The Lane Report)

• What does a personal financial experience look like at Gratz Park Private Wealth? Their experienced advisors take the time to understand who you are and your vision for the future. There’s never a bad time to begin your financial journey so why wait to start reaching your goals?*

Here’s how to sample

• For $7 you can receive four tokens, each one good for a 3 oz. serving.
• Or try a full-size option from individual roasters

• Start your morning off right with Matcha Nude. This matcha powder is made with premium-grade organic, non-GMO ingredients, perfect for a tasty, energizing drink.