Lexington Parks - Valley Park

(I usually get all the boys in the picture, but we forgot to take the picture until we were leaving and Calvin reminded me. Everyone was already buckled in, so the little boys are in the picture indirectly by being in the van)

Valley Park (2077 Cambridge Dr)

Location -  near Preston's Springs Park, off Versailles Rd 

Playground? Yes

Trails? yes (paved and unpaved)

We love this park! We came here often a couple summers ago when there was a free lunch program. Our protocol now is to only play on a playground if no other kids are around. We had driven by this park a week ago and didn't stop since there were a bunch of kids playing. Next time, we may stop anyway because there are other things to do.

Five years ago, there was a wooden playground here, but it's been completely replaced. A lot of the parks in Lexington have these tandem swings:

This is a fun merry-go-round/climbing structure:

One reason I like this park is because the boys can play without me needing to be hands-on all the time. There is a tall slide, but the little boys aren't able to climb the ladder. I remember two summers ago being able to nurse Colson while one-year-old Cooper played. Now they're both playing together!

Carter loves the monkey bars -- using the rungs underneath and climbing on top.

They incorporated some new art features since the last time we were here. I imagine there was a painting day when kids got to contribute their talents. There are 4 long mosaic benches that add color and whimsy.

This day was the first day we explored beyond the playground. Many local parks have creeks, but this one (Wolf Run, I believe) was quite wide.

We were about to turn around and go back when a family pulled into the side parking lot and began walking down a trail in the woods. So, we followed them! (at a safe distance, of course!)

I thought this rocky bank was particularly cool although it was a little slippery.

We saw many ducks on this warm December day.

The path itself wasn't too impressive. There was a pile of about five shopping carts at one point. When the other family emerged, I realized that their intentionality with going straight to the trail was because they were searching for a geocache. Lucas and I used to do this all the time but have fallen out of the habit. They ended up not being able to access it from that angle but found it later at Preston's Springs Park, which connects to this park and follows the same creek and nature area. 

On our way back, we stopped at the small skate park. Colson, whom I had carried for the end of the trail, perked up and ran up and down the ramps.

It was a little windy, and Cooper kept his hand on top of his head to hold his hood in place.

The blue skies and beautiful clouds were so invigorating at the tail end of a gray December. Thank you, God, for the wonders of Your creation! The heavens declare Your glory, and the skies proclaim Your works! (Psalm 19:1)

(Note: We have visited 40+ parks in Lexington since the beginning of Covid. These are not meant to be extensive reviews but more a record of our experiences. Eventually I will add hyperlinks to all the blog entries here)