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Parks and nature areas in Central Kentucky

By andy mead | amead@herald-leader.com

With a quarter-million people calling it home, Lexington is just urban enough to make us occasionally long for nature. The simple solution: Hop in a car. In minutes, you can be walking down a trail and smelling sweet air.

[CLICK HERE to get directions from an interactive map of nature preserves. CLICK HERE for a list and interactive map of parks in Lexington. ]

Sometimes, you just have to get out of the office, get out of the house or hotel, get out of your rut, and let your mind and body find a more natural rhythm. Here are some recommendations:

McConnell Springs Nature Center: How about a hike within sight of the downtown skyline? Head to this 26-acre oasis tucked behind an industrial park. The popular legend is that adventurers were camping here when they heard the Revolutionary War had started in Massachusetts; they named their camp Lexington. Today the coolest features are geological, including a stream that “boils” out of the ground, runs across the surface and disappears into a sinkhole. (416 Rebmann Lane, off Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except for a few holidays. (859) 225-4073.)

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary: The city bought the first tract of this property along the Kentucky River in the '60s to use as a landfill. It's now 734 acres of streams, meadows and woods laced with 10 miles of hiking trails. Be sure to take the trail to the river overlook. (5886 Jacks Creek Pike, Fayette County. Hours vary, closed some holidays. (859) 272-6105.)

Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary and Audubon Center: The center has 374 acres with three trails and more than 100 bird species. (1305 Germany Rd., Frankfort. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. A nature center and gift shop in a 1901 farmhouse is open 1-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., closed Jan.-March. (859) 873-5711.)

John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest State Nature Preserve: These 123 acres in Rockcastle County have been an official preserve for a dozen years. Stephenson, the late Berea College president, used to visit for inspiration when he was writing poetry, and worked to protect it as logging was moving closer. The preserve is a ravine that includes Anglin Falls, a wet-weather waterfall nearly 75 feet high. (Anglin Falls Road, south of Berea. Open sunrise to sunset year-round.)

Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve: This preserve is more than 800 acres just 20 miles south of Lexington, on the Kentucky River near Camp Nelson. Only the Garrard County side is open to the public, but from there hikers can see 220-foot limestone palisades on the Jessamine County side. The cliffs, best viewed in winter, are 450 million years old — the oldest exposed rock in Kentucky. (Palisades Point, off Ky. 1845, south of Nicholasville. Open sunrise to sunset.)

Sally Brown Nature Preserve: This Garrard County preserve is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. It comprises 632 acres, with an additional 350 acres as a buffer against development. The preserve offers beautiful river views and deep woods, but hikers can also hear the pop-pop-pop of target practice from a sportsman's club on the other side of the river. (Bowman's Bottom Road, Garrard County. Open sunrise to sunset.)

Red River Gorge Geological Area: About 60 miles east of Lexington, but well worth the drive, is "the Gorge." The 29,000 acres include more than 100 natural arches, miles of trails, and sandstone cliffs that attract rock-climbers from all over the world. You can even bring your dog. Visitors can paddle the Red River, which is a National Wild and Scenic River, or venture into the Clifty Wilderness, which covers more than 12,000 acres. Overnight camping requires a $3 pass. Day hikes are free. (Exit 33-Slade, off the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway. Gladie Learning Center, 3451 Sky Bridge Road, (606) 663-8100.)

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Parks in Lexington

With 102 parks and two natural areas sprinkled throughout Fayette County, it's easy to find some green space. Here are some notable parks and natural areas in Lexington. Get more information on these and other parks in Lexington here or by calling (859) 288-2900.

The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, 500 Alumni Drive (University of Kentucky area). Features paved walking trails, gorgeous gardens of plants native to Kentucky, picnic tables and grills and a nature study.

Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Road (south Lexington). Features 216 acres, basketball courts, paddle boats, picnic tables and grills, a playground, 4-acre dog park, volleyball courts and covered shelters.

Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Road (west Lexington). Features expansive 660 acres, volleyball courts, dog park, football and soccer fields, horseshoes, picnic tables and grills, equine area, playground and covered shelters. Site of Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair each July.

Picadome Park, 469 Parkway Drive, off South Broadway and Mason Headley Road. Features golf course and swimming pool.

Shillito Park, 300 West Reynolds Road, off Nicholasville Road. Features baseball and softball diamonds, disc golf course, basketball courts, football and soccer fields, paved trails, picnic tables and grills, a playground, covered shelters, Olympic-size swimming pool and tennis courts.

Thoroughbred Park, 121 Midland Avenue (downtown). Features green space, fountains and iconic bronze statues of racing horses that are popular for photographs.

Triangle Park, Main Street and Broadway (downtown). Features green space and beautiful fountains. Popular on summer weekends.

Woodland Park, 601 East High Street (downtown, UK area). Features swimming pool, skate park, tennis courts, playground, softball diamond, picnic tables and grills.

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