Take a sneak peek of new Gatton Park on Town Branch in Lexington before it opens
Allison Lankford was delighted.
The CEO of Gatton Park on Town Branch hustled across the newly planted grass to a team of construction workers who were testing the park’s water play area. The water flowed through the troughs and wheels, down to a lower level where multiple fountains — which kids can get into — spurted water.
“This is the first time we’ve seen the water on,” Lankford said Aug. 14 during a preview tour of the much-anticipated, 10-acre park. The fountains have lights that can change colors, construction workers with general contractor Dean Builds told Lankford and Donald Miller, the park’s new director.
“We could do all blue for UK games,” Lankford said. “Wow. There’s so many possibilities.”
The new park has so many possibilities that Lankford, Miller and the Gatton Park staff are still discovering them, days before the park’s grand opening.
Lankford has spent a decade raising money, organizing and shepherding the 10-acre privately-funded public park into existence.
On Saturday, after two years of construction, the Sasaki-designed park will open.
A brainchild of former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, Gatton Park on the Town Branch is part of a more than decade-old vision to transform the area around Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena into a downtown attraction for Lexington residents and visitors alike. The expansion of the convention center and renovation of Rupp Arena, one of Lexington’s most well-known landmarks, were finally completed in 2022. Construction started on Gatton Park on Town Branch in August 2023.
Gray had appointed a task force to reimagine the entire area. The addition of a park was floated. It had originally been in a different location, but after the redesign and expansion of the convention center was finalized, it was moved to a surface parking lot behind Rupp, its current location.
“It had a better, higher use, and what better use than a park?” Gray said. “Great cities have great parks. Lexington does not have a great downtown park.”
Gray said the building of the park was not a given. Lankford and the Gatton Park board raised $55 million for the park. That includes construction, design and money for day-to-day operations.
“It was a big stretch,” Gray said of the fundraising effort. “Except for some fundraising at the (University of Kentucky), it’s probably the most money ever raised in the city.”
Gray got a tour of the park Aug. 16.
He was blown away.
“It exceeded my expectations,” Gray said.
From pavement to green space
Lexington was largely built around the Town Branch, which was the city’s main water source, when the city was founded 250 years ago in 1775.
But the Town Branch had long been buried. A small portion of the creek could still be seen in what was largely a parking lot for the convention center and Rupp Arena that the park was built on.
The plans for the park included daylighting Town Branch creek, which took nearly two years, Lankford said. Invasive species were ripped out. The creek bed had to be restored and widened.
When construction crews were working under the Oliver Lewis Way bridge, which forms one border of the park, they found an old stone wall believed to have dated back to 1790. The stones of that wall are in the new wall that helps support the stream bed.
The Town Branch now runs through one side of the park closest to High and Manchester streets. People will not be able to access Town Branch creek, however — there is fencing around the area.
A 5,000-seat amphitheater
One of the largest structures in the park is the CommonSpirit Health Stage, a 5,000 seat ampitheater that faces the back of Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena.
The ampitheater has a tiered grass seating. Smaller groups can book the stage and use the first one or two tiers, Lankford said.
Gatton Park on Town Branch has entered into an agreement with the Oak View Group, which also programs and books Rupp Arena and the Lexington Opera House. The first two concerts have already been scheduled: The Beach Boys on Sept. 17 and Kansas, Jefferson Starship and Molly Hatchet on Oct. 9.
“This tier system allows us to accommodate smaller groups,” Lankford said. The amphitheater will also be revenue stream for the privately funded park. Lankford said local arts groups have long wanted an outdoor event space. “We have special rates for nonprofits.”
Looking down on the amphitheater from the Rupp Arena side is the “Perch” — a patio area that can also be rented for small events.
“This is one of my favorite spots in the park, because you can look out and see everything,” Lankford said.
The amphitheater also has a large community room that can be rented for events. The community room opens onto a shaded plaza where a former R.J. Corman railroad car has been converted into the park’s snack stand. Also facing the plaza are several large bench swings for adults, another Lankford favorite.
The park’s bathrooms are behind the CommonSpirit Health stage.
Fun for two-legged and four-legged visitors
The water play area has multiple troughs, wheels and other water play features, including walk-through fountains and a splash pad.
Several shaded tables for families are nearby. Next to the water play is another large feature — a four-story, 27-foot wooden play structure with slides. There is also a separate, two-person slide next to the wooden play structure.
There will be several shade covers over the play structure, including one for the metal slide attached to the wooden play structure, Lankford said.
“The construction has been inspected for safety several times including after it was finished,” Lankford said. There are climbing walls, nets and various play features throughout the structure. The play structure was designed by Earthscape.
“We wanted it to be fun for all ages,” Lankford said. “We wanted it to have enough adventure for kids to put down their phones and play.”
Dogs are welcome in the park. There are two dog parks — one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Dogs can also exercise at Gatton Park. Each dog park has wooden beams dogs can climb on.
Butterfly gardens to public art
Toward the Main Street and Oliver Lewis Way side of the park is a butterfly garden and small performance area. Between the dog parks and the revamped R.J. Corman railroad car is green space.
“People can kick a ball or have a picnic,” Lankford said.
Dotted along the walkways and tucked into the landscaping are small black boxes.
“That’s free Wi-Fi throughout the park,” Lankford said.
Also on some parts of the sidewalks and walking trails are small animal prints such as different types of hooves and bird feet.
“Kids can look at the feet and then look at the education signs and figure out what types of animals once lived here,” Lankford said. The water play feature also has an educational component.
First Impressions by Studio Klimoski Chang is a giant Maclurite fossil comprising 117 precast panels that show points of Lexington and world history. It’s made to be explored and for people to sit on, Lankford said.
People entering the park from the High Street side through the tunnel will be greeted with Blessing Hancock’s Petal-Drop-Flutter installation, which combines both art and sound.
Ann Bakhaus, the longtime chairperson of the Gatton Park board, said the group worked diligently to get public input to make sure the park met everyone’s needs.
“This park was truly created by our community. Together we have created Lexington’s living room — a place where everyone is welcome, and the community can flourish,” Bakhaus said. “People have embraced the vision of Gatton Park and the impact it will have on residents and visitors alike. We are thankful for the overwhelming support for this project from citizens and our donors. The impact of this day will be felt for generations to come.”
A daylong party for the grand opening
The gates will open at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at noon followed by concerts and performances until 10 p.m. There will be several food trucks throughout the park.
The opening will feature free concerts on the CommonSpirit Health Stage from 1:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Noah Thompson, who won American Idol, will be the last performer. Dance and other groups will perform from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Butterfly Garden Plaza
Free parking is available at the Helix Garage, 156 E. Main St., beginning at 9 a.m. In addition, there will be free parking at 350 West Short Street Garage, formerly Victorian Square Garage, beginning at 5 p.m.
Entrance gates close at 10 p.m. Visitors must exit both garages by 11 p.m. The free parking is only for Saturday.
Paid parking is available at the Rupp Arena parking lot (West High Street) all day with a flat daily rate of $12.
This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
