LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Parks & Recreation is inviting residents to participate in community conversations designed to shape the future of the city's parks, programs and green spaces. The discussions are part of Discover Great Places + Green Spaces, the city's comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan initiative that will guide improvements over the next decade and beyond.

The planning process will create what officials describe as a community-driven roadmap addressing parks, recreation facilities, trails, programs, services and operations. Monica Conrad, director of Lexington Parks & Recreation, emphasized the importance of resident participation. "Many of our current projects and priorities are a direct result of discoveries from our last Master Plan, released in 2018," Conrad said in a statement. The department is encouraging residents of all ages to share ideas about what they want to see in parks and public spaces.

The master plan will guide how Park Fund dollars and other funding sources are allocated, following voters' approval of "Yes for Parks" in fall 2024, which established a dedicated Park Fund to support parks and recreation improvements across the city. The planning process will identify opportunities for improved and new parks, enhanced facilities, and emerging recreational trends.

Community conversations are scheduled for August 20 through August 25 at locations across Lexington. The first session is set for Thursday, August 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at O'Rear Neighborhood Center inside Douglass Park, located at 726 Georgetown Street. A second conversation is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at Tates Creek Ballroom next to Tates Creek Aquatic Center at 1400 Gainesway Drive. Additional sessions will follow throughout the planning window. Residents can also provide input through online surveys and location-based feedback on the master plan website.