Comments (0) |

Sports and fitness activities in Central Kentucky

BY HERALD-LEADER STAFF

SKATING [back to top]

Woodland Skate Park near the High Street side of Woodland Park, 601 East High Street, (859) 288-2900. 12,000 square feet of skateboarding pipes, platforms and ramps. Open until 11 p.m. or midnight.

Lexington Ice Center, 560 Eureka Springs Drive. Public ice skating open daily. Activities include private skating lessons and hockey leagues. (859) 269-5686 or (859) 268-6046.

Champ's Entertainment Complex, 297 Ruccio Way. Features roller skating, lessons and laser tag. Call for hours. (859) 268-3888.

---

RUNNING [back to top]

Lexington has more than 14 trails to satisfy your outdoor cardiovascular delight.

* If you like running or walking on asphalt, then the Constitution along Old Paris Pike and Kirklevington off Redding Road, are two good three-quarter-mile trails. There's also Buckhorn Trail between Summerhill Drive and Squires Road, the University of Kentucky's Arboretum off Alumni Drive, Veteran's off Tates Creek Road and Waverly, a 1-kilometer trail along Twain Ride Drive.

* Grass trails are located at Masterson Station (Leestown Road) and Shillito Station (Reynolds Road behind Fayette Mall). Call 288-2900.

Lexington also is home to many road races, including:

• Bluegrass 10,000: The annual 10K run through downtown is on July 4th. Registration forms are available at the Division of Parks and Recreation, 545 North Upper Street.
• Midsummer Night's Run: The August evening features a Run for Fun Walk, competitions for "The Fastest Kid in Town" for ages 1 to 12 and a 5K.

---

HIKING [back to top]

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary (5888 Jacks Creek Pike, 288-6105) has 470 acres of some of the most exquisite meadows, woodlands and creeks you'll ever see.

Daniel Boone National Forest also provides excellent hiking with 26,000 acres along the Red River. Call 745-3100.

If you want to see emerging and disappearing springs and a wide range of plants and wildlife, then visit McConnell Springs (off Old Frankfort Pike, 255-4073).

---

ROCK CLIMBING [back to top]

Red River Gorge, part of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is ideal for any climbing enthusiast.

Climb Time (2416 Over Drive, 253-3673), is the first indoor rock climbing facility in Kentucky. The gym has 25 top ropes and 25-foot walls.

Lexington Rocks (200 Bolivar Street, 381-9000) recently opened near the UK campus. The 5,200-square-foot gym includes a 35-foot-high wall and a workout room.

---

SWIMMING [back to top]

Lexington's Division of Parks and Recreation operates nine public pools, open roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Here are two notable pools:

Shillito Park, 300 W. Reynolds Road. Olympic-size pool, bath houses, baby pools, vending machines.

Woodland Park Family Aquatic Center, 601 East High Street. Giant pirate ship play area, area for children 10 and younger, slides, 3-meter diving boards, grassy beach areas, outdoor sand play area, playground, bath houses, concession area and grills.

---

WORKING OUT [back to top]

Like most cities, Lexington has lots of gyms, most of which offer guest passes. Check your hotel for exercise facilities; then ask the concierge or front desk for a suggestion nearby.