Gatton Park on the Town Branch in Lexington sets grand opening date
Lexington’s newest park officially has an opening date.
Gatton Park on the Town Branch, a 10-acre park being built behind Central Bank Center’s Rupp Arena, announced Thursday it will open to the public August 23.
The park has been in the works for nearly a decade, and will feature an amphitheater, playground, walking trails, public art, splash pad and more. Construction started in 2023.
“The park will open in 100 days,” said Executive Director Allison Lankford in a news release. “It’s a place to disconnect from hectic lives and reconnect with nature and each other — right in the middle of downtown.”
The grand opening will start at noon and continue throughout the day with live music, dance performances, face painting, a Kentucky artists showcase and more.
Lankford said all construction will be finished by then.
The privately funded park has raised over $55 million to date. The park is not eligible for the new park tax for city-run public parks, which passed in the November election.
The park will be self-sustaining, Lankford said, and will generate money through performances at its pavilion and rental fees for other events.
Originally named Town Branch Park, officials rebranded in 2024 to honor a $14.5 million donation from the Bill Gatton Foundation. The donation began this year, with annual pledges over several years.
The foundation’s namesake, Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, was a University of Kentucky graduate and known for his philanthropy.
He gave significant donations to UK and other Lexington organizations, including the YMCA of Central Kentucky. Gatton died in 2022.
He is UK’s largest single donor, giving $70 million to the state’s flagship university throughout his lifetime.