Lexington gets $25K for Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Here’s how the city will use it
Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 41 projects across Kentucky aimed at improving local parks and backed by more than $4.2 million in federal funding.
The money comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, according to a governor’s office news release. The fund supports efforts to improve outdoor spaces, including with playground renovations and upgrades, new walking or biking trails and projects to bring park facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Here’s a look at the upgrades planned for community parks in and around Fayette County and Kentucky.
Lexington park improvements
Lexington, Fayette County:
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government will use $25,000 to improve the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
Susan Straub, director of communications for Mayor Linda Gorton, told the Herald-Leader $20,000 is being allocated by the city, while the remaining $5,000 is financed through the Friends of Raven Run conservation group.
According to its website, the 734-acre nature sanctuary is dedicated to protecting the natural beauty of the Kentucky River Palisades region. It features more than 10 miles of hiking trails that provide access to streams, meadows and woodland environments. It’s home to some 600 species of plants and 200 species of birds throughout the year.
Jenny Hubbard-Sanchez, who manages Raven Run as Lexington’s superintendent of natural areas, said of the news in a statement: “I am thrilled and grateful to the Land and Water Conservation Fund board members for selecting Raven Run Nature Sanctuary as a 2022 grant recipient. The funds awarded will allow us to make significant improvements to our trail system to ensure the safety of the public and sustainability of our forest for many years to come.”
According to Hubbard-Sanchez, Raven Run’s trails date back to more than 40 years. Because the nature sanctuary is a public park, it’s not possible to limit usage to preserve the ecological balance required for healthy trails.
Raven Run reportedly has limited money available for trail maintenance, and with this supplemental funding, the sanctuary will purchase an excavator. The project will contribute to the long-term goal of restoring the trail system and forest to pristine conditions, free from the various invasive species that have hitched rides on the 65,000 or so visitors that walk and run the trails each year.
Many of the trails throughout Raven Run were created in the 1970s and many changes have been made to the standards of trial building in that time, according to Hubbard-Sanchez.
The following improvements will be made to meet modern trail-building standards:
- Drainage ditches created to collect runoff water without causing excessive erosion
- Regrading the slope of the trails to better allow water runoff
- Top soil added in areas with severe erosion
- Soil compaction to better accommodate utility terrain vehicles (used on the trails for emergencies and transport of individuals with limited mobility)
- Rerouting small sections of trail as needed
Park improvements across Kentucky
Nicholasville, Jessamine County:
Nicholasville officials will use $125,000 to construct a mile-long asphalt walking trail in Riney B. Park.
Richmond, Madison County:
Richmond officials will use $90,000 to construct an outdoor fitness court at Lake Reba Recreational Complex.
Bourbon County:
The Bourbon County Fiscal Court will use $200,000 to develop a court sports facility at Bourbon County Park.
Louisville, Jefferson County:
The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government will use $200,000 for improvements at Jefferson Memorial Forest.
That includes constructing an ADA-accessible paved walking path with boardwalk crossings and expanding a picnic area to make it ADA-accessible.
Prospect, Jefferson and Oldham counties:
The city of Prospect will use $110,000 to expand Little Hunting Creek Park from a green space into a fully accessible park.
Newport, Campbell County:
Newport will use $200,000 to construct play areas at Festival Park in Newport.
The project will also improve ADA access to the upper and lower terraces of Festival Park and provide amenities.
Rowan County:
The Rowan County Fiscal Court will use $200,000 to improve recreational areas along Cave Run Lake.
Rowan County will partner with the U.S. Forest Service to build a new boat dock, an ADA-accessible fishing pier with railing and a new restroom facility along with a gangway and walkway to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Repairs to the road and ADA-accessible vehicle pull-outs will be made at Ramey Creek, the dock at Scott Creek will be relocated and the trails at Shallow Flats and Boat Gunnell will be made ADA accessible.
Harlan County
The Kentucky Department of Parks will use $200,000 to design and build six new camper cabins to be installed in Kingdom Come State Park. One existing park residence will be renovated into a fully accessible camper cabin.
Leslie County
The Leslie County Fiscal Court will use $200,000 to add a new Little League park and playground.
Scottsville, Allen County:
Scottsville officials will use $157,350 to replace play structures at Scottsville Roadside Park and improve the playground area. They will also construct an ADA-accessible sidewalk.
McLean County:
The McLean County Fiscal Court will use $177,900 to install ADA-accessible playground equipment, as well as new sewer lines and a lift station at Myer Creek Park.
A full list of projects being funded as part of the 4.2 million infusion is available online.
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This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 10:30 AM.