Lexington, Kentucky is home to many beautiful parks that offer a variety of amenities and activities for residents and visitors. From scenic nature preserves to parks with sports facilities, Lexington’s parks system has something for everyone.
| Park Name | Key Features and Activities |
|---|---|
| Veterans Park | 25-acre park honoring veterans, memorials, trails, sports fields. |
| Jacobson Park | Over 100 acres, mountain bike trails, hiking, disc golf, playground. |
| Shillito Park | Oldest public park, swimming pool, tennis courts, duck pond. |
| McConnell Springs | 26-acre historic park, natural springs, butterfly garden. |
| Castlewood Park | Fishing, hiking, horseback riding, disc golf, boat ramp. |
| Woodland Park | Sports facilities, tennis courts, skate park, arts fair. |
| Raven Run Nature Sanctuary | 734-acre nature preserve, hiking trails, birdwatching. |
| Thoroughbred Park | Celebrates horse racing heritage, bronze horse statues. |
| Wellington Park | Dog park, athletic fields, playground, walking trail. |
| Coldstream Park | Nature areas, disc golf, batting cages, art sculptures. |
| Masterson Station Park | 251 acres, sports fields and courts, fishing lake, trails. |
| Southland Park | Soccer center, batting cages, playground, walking trail. |
Here are 12 of the top parks in Lexington that are worth visiting.
Veterans Park
Name and Location: Veterans Park, located downtown Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Honors veterans with memorials and monuments. Site of annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events.
What to Expect: Benches, memorials, fountain, open space. Place for reflection and ceremonies honoring veterans.
Visitor Information: Located on E Main St. Open daily, free admission.
Veterans Park is located just south of downtown Lexington adjacent to the University of Kentucky campus. This 25-acre park honors veterans with memorials and military equipment displays. There are also open green spaces, mature trees, and a 1.3-mile paved loop trail that goes around the perimeter of the park. Other amenities include picnic shelters, a playground, and athletic fields for soccer, baseball, and football. Veterans Park hosts festivals, 5K races, and community events throughout the year.
Jacobson Park
Name and Location: Jacobson Park, in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Community park with amphitheater, gardens, and walking trails. Home to free summer concert series.
What to Expect: Concert venue, playground, athletic fields, wooded trails. Lovely spot for walks, events, and summer concerts.
Visitor Information: Located on Old Harrodsburg Rd. Open daily, free admission.
Jacobson Park encompasses over 100 acres southwest of Lexington and contains the city’s largest developed mountain bike trail system. The trails range from beginner to advanced level with winding single-track loops, wooden bridges, and rocky terrain. Mountain bikers can ride over 20 miles of trail within the park’s wooded areas. Jacobson Park also has hiking trails, a disc golf course, picnic shelters, and a playground.
Shillito Park
Name and Location: Shillito Park, in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Lexington’s oldest public park, donated in 1899. Features athletic fields, trails, memorials, and a charming antique carousel.
What to Expect: Playgrounds, walking paths, gardens, baseball fields, tennis courts, carousel rides.
Visitor Information: Located 300 W Reynolds Rd. Open daily, free admission.
Found along Southland Drive, Shillito Park is Lexington’s oldest public park dating back to the early 1900s. It has popular attractions like a municipal swimming pool, tennis courts, and the 1800s one-room schoolhouse relocated here in 1971. Shillito Park’s manicured green spaces provide room for dog walking, picnics, and kids running around. Visitors also enjoy the park’s scenic duck pond.
McConnell Springs
Name and Location: McConnell Springs, located in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Twenty-acre historic site with natural springs that was a campsite for early pioneers. Provides glimpse into Lexington’s past.
What to Expect: Historic cabin, interpretive exhibits, nature trails, waterfall, visitor center. Offers natural scenery and history.
Visitor Information: Located at 416 Rebmann Ln. Trails open daily, free admission.
McConnell Springs is a 26-acre historically significant park located near downtown Lexington. It contains natural sinking springs that were used as a water supply by early American settlers. Visitors can walk along limestone walking paths to view the springs and learn about the park’s history in the restored 1880s boathouse. McConnell Springs has a delightful butterfly garden, native Kentucky plants area, and provides outdoor education programs.
Castlewood Park
Name and Location: Castlewood Park, in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Charming park featuring amphitheater, trails, gardens, and a vintage 1909 carousel. Hosts community events and concerts.
What to Expect: Carousel rides, playground, athletic fields, scenic trails, flower gardens. Relaxing neighborhood park.
Visitor Information: Located at 2010 Castleton Dr. Open daily, free admission.
Situated along the Kentucky River, Castlewood Park is a popular spot for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. Anglers can cast a line for bass, catfish, and bluegill in the river and fishing lakes within the park. There are over 5 miles of scenic trails that traverse meadows, forests, and rugged terrain with elevation changes. Castlewood Park also includes picnic areas, a playground, disc golf course, and boat ramp access to the river.
Woodland Park
Name and Location: Woodland Park, in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Largest of Lexington’s neighborhood parks at over 90 acres. Features athletic fields, disc golf, trails, and a dog park.
What to Expect: Hiking/biking trails, playgrounds, sports facilities, open green space. Great for outdoor recreation.
Visitor Information: Located at 501 E High St. Open daily, free admission.
Woodland Park is located on the east side of Lexington and is one of the city’s most visited parks. It contains a variety of sports facilities including eight tennis courts, baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields, a skate park, and disc golf course. The park also has scenic nature trails, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and the historic Woodland Arts Fair is held here each August.
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Name and Location: Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, located in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: 700-acre nature preserve with hiking trails through forests, meadows, and along streams. Provides urban wilderness escape.
What to Expect: Over 10 miles of scenic hiking trails, visitor center, nature programs and events. Excellent spot for nature walks.
Visitor Information: Located at 384 Raven Run Way. Trails open daily, free admission.
Raven Run is a 734-acre nature preserve along the Kentucky River operated by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Visitors enjoy hiking the nearly 10 miles of trail that wind through the park’s forests, streams, and limestone outcrops. Raven Run is an excellent place to observe native plants and wildlife including over 200 species of birds. Interpretive programs are available along with guided hikes, workshops, and seasonal events.
Thoroughbred Park
Name and Location: Thoroughbred Park, located in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Honors Lexington’s Thoroughbred horse industry history. Features horse statues, memorials, walking bridge.
What to Expect: Horse sculptures, memorial plaques, scenic bridge walkway. Tributes to champion race horses and horses/workers.
Visitor Information: Located downtown at the corner of Main St and Midland. Open daily, free admission.
Located near Keeneland Race Course, Thoroughbred Park celebrates Lexington’s heritage as the “Horse Capital of the World.” Over 60 bronze horse statues are displayed throughout the park honoring champion racehorses bred in the Bluegrass Region. Thoroughbred Park has lots of green space, walking paths, and benches in addition to the eye-catching equine statues. Visitors can view horses training on the nearby tracks as well.
Wellington Park
Name and Location: Wellington Park, located in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Historic 1870s farm and estate, now a city park. Features historic mansion, gardens, trails, and playground.
What to Expect: Tour mansion, walk scenic trails, enjoy gardens and playground. Provides a glimpse of 19th century life.
Visitor Information: Located at 3700 S Wellington Pl. Park open daily, mansion tours offered weekends.
Found off Armstrong Mill Road, Wellington Park contains the popular Wellington Dog Park for pets and their owners to play. The 25-acre off-leash dog area has benches, water stations, agility equipment, and is divided into sections for large and small dogs. Wellington Park also has athletic fields, a playground, walking trail, picnic shelters, and hosts events like the annual Pups in the Park festival.
Coldstream Park
Name and Location: Coldstream Park, located in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Sprawling park featuring a public golf course, playgrounds, athletic fields, trails and more recreational amenities.
What to Expect: 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, playgrounds, dog park, open green space. Sports facilities and natural areas.
Visitor Information: Located at 2365 Harrodsburg Rd. Park open daily, free admission. Golf fees apply.
Coldstream Park spans 94 acres along the Coldstream tributary east of downtown Lexington. The park has scenic nature areas along the stream in addition to several sports facilities. Visitors can play disc golf on the 18-hole course, hit balls at the batting cages, walk the paved 1-mile loop trail, or let kids enjoy the playground. Coldstream Park also contains public art sculptures and is home to community events.
Masterson Station Park
Name and Location: Masterson Station Park, in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Large suburban park with athletic fields, trails, playgrounds. Hosts community events and tournaments.
What to Expect: Sports fields/courts, hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters. Space for sports, recreation and events.
Visitor Information: Located at 3051 Leestown Rd. Open daily, free admission.
Masterson Station Park provides family-friendly recreation opportunities on the northeast side of Lexington. The 251-acre park has athletic fields and courts for baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, and basketball. Other amenities include a disc golf course, two playgrounds, a fishing lake, 1.3-mile paved trail, and picnic pavilions. Visitors enjoy attending concerts, festivals, and 5K races held at Masterson Station Park during warmer months.
Southland Park
Name and Location: Southland Park, located in Lexington, KY.
History and Significance: Lush neighborhood park featuring athletic fields, playground, sprayground, and walking trails.
What to Expect: Playgrounds, sprayground, athletic fields, open green space, paved walking paths. Family recreation amenities.
Visitor Information: Located at 1175 Harry Rd. Open daily, free admission.
Bordering Masterson Station Park, Southland Park offers additional recreational and event facilities. It contains the Southland Soccer Center with 13 soccer fields that host games and tournaments throughout the year. Southland Park also has a batting cage complex, playground, 1-mile paved walking trail, open green spaces, and picnic shelters available to reserve. Concerts and festivals are regularly held at the park’s amphitheater stage as well.
Lexington has an excellent parks system that provides plenty of recreational opportunities within natural scenic settings. The parks are well-maintained with amenities for all ages and interests. From tranquil walking trails to sports facilities, Lexington’s top parks give residents and visitors many options to enjoy the outdoors. These beautiful parks enhance the community and quality of life for those living in or traveling through Lexington, Kentucky.