For those new to Transylvania (or even those who have lived here for a while but rarely venture downtown), several great parks are within walking distance of campus. In 2025, Lexington is planning to add two new parks to the list.
Phoenix Park is not technically new, but a complete rehaul of the park is currently under construction. The park is located next to the Central Branch of the Lexington Public Library, on the corner of Main and Limestone. Those who remember Phoenix before it was closed this summer probably remember it is a large slab of concrete with nowhere to sit, but in the revamp the city hopes to add several new features, including a small playground, dog park, and art installations.
Phoenix Park is expected to open in the Spring of 2025. As of September, most of the demolition of the old park has been completed, and the building of new structures will start in October.
The other new park coming to the downtown area is Gatton Park on the Town Branch, currently under construction to repurpose one of Lexington’s many, many parking lots. Those who were on campus last spring may recall a survey regarding a new park and the possible amenities it could feature. The park was initially planned to be named Town Branch Park, after the creek that currently runs under downtown Lexington, some of which will be exposed once again by this park, but it was recently renamed in honor of a large donation by the Bill Gatton foundation.
Of the two parks, this one is much more ambitious. Across nine acres, the park will feature plenty of green space, much of it along the Town Branch Creek, as well as an amphitheater for concerts, an area for local food trucks, a dog park, a new location for the Lexington Farmers Market, and many more features. Gatton Park will also connect to the larger Town Branch Commons, a pedestrian and bicycle trail that already links a few parks in downtown Lexington.
The park’s website doesn’t give a specific date for the park’s opening, just that it will be open sometime next year.
If these parks are finished and open before the end of the Winter Term (late April), I will follow up with a more in-depth review of each one. While we wait, I recommend visiting other parks close to campus, such as Triangle Park on Broadway between Main and Vine, and Gratz Park just opposite Third from the academic side of campus.
