Veterans Park - tank, playground

    As a "Veterans Park," there are memorials scattered throughout the park from different wars. There's also a tank prominently displayed at the entrance. There's a tank at the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, but it has a sign that says no climbing. Here at Veterans Park, the boys are free to climb and explore. 

    There are also two small playgrounds -- one near a baseball field and one on the paved trail, accessible from Rockbridge Rd. We haven't played extensively at either one, so I don't have great pictures yet.

(Here are my other Veterans Park posts about the trails and the creek.)

This is the playground from the Rockbridge Rd parking lot

In addition to the two playgrounds, there are some stand-alone play features along one of the paved walking paths (there's this rock and a swing and a climber)

Lexington Parks - McConnell Springs

McConnell Springs (416 Rebmann Ln)

Location - off Old Frankfort Pike

Playground? no

Trails? yes, paved and unpaved

Other? woods, pond, spring, bur oak, historical, nature center, wildlife, picnic area, logs to climb around (near the entrance and off one of the trails)

    Love, love, love this place! I can't say enough about it! It's like a little oasis in the middle of an industrial area. There's history (this is where Lexington was named -- after the pioneers at this settlement heard of the battle of Lexington in 1775) and science (a natural spring and "boils"). There's a bur oak that is over 250 years old. There's wildlife (we've seen a deer once, and we almost always see turtles on a warm day at the pond). I came here when I was dating Lucas. I brought my oldest brother here and my friend Amy when they each were in town. I brought a gaggle of summer camp kids here from the Boys and Girls Club (my co-worker Larmont did the BEST/funniest nature tour). I brought my 5th grade classes here on the same day we toured the nearby recycling center. I took the boys to the Halloween event there. I hiked here with my in-laws here last fall when it was just starting to get chilly, and I picnicked here with the boys after the ice storm and we saw the the pond frozen over. Such a wonderful place full of wonderful memories!

I told him to look for turtles. He found the one on the sign (that's not what I meant)

Carter's trying to point out the real turtles

Over...under...

Peek a boo!

He can stand up inside there!

Here's the mighty bur oak. It's over 250 years old and has started to deteriorate, as indicated by the support beams to try to prop it up.

Back in the winter. This bur oak has seen the changing of seasons over and over

I had never seen the pond frozen over before

Snowy hike. It was a nice day -- still had the snow to make tracks in, but the weather had warmed up considerably

The "boils"

Happy picnic!

(Note: We visited all 88 LFUCG parks in the span of a Covid year -- mid-March 2020 to February 2021. 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)

Lexington Parks - Donaldson/Valley View Ferry

Donaldson Park (9790 Tates Creek Road)

Location - next to the Valley View Ferry (check for operational times)

Playground? no 

Trails? no

Other? FERRY!, Kentucky River

    This is one of the smallest parks in the Lexington Parks and Rec system but one of the most unique because it is next to the Valley View ferry, considered to be the state's oldest continually operating business (founded in 1780 before Kentucky was admitted to the Union in 1792). It is FREE, but be sure to check for operating hours. It is also closed currently because of high water conditions. 

    One thing we often did during our Covid summer was to take Sunday drives in the country while listening to audiobooks (we burned through all 26 of the A-Z Mystery series). If you're in Lexington, just head south on Tates Creek Road and you'll end up at the river. We usually go across, drive a bit, and then come right back across. Sometimes, there's a wait, but they can take up to three vehicles at a time.

We ate our snack at the "park" and watched several trips back and forth.

It's our turn! I think Calvin enjoyed it!

It's the weirdest feeling to be in your car AND floating on a river

(Note: We visited all 88 LFUCG parks in the span of a Covid year -- mid-March 2020 to February 2021. 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)

Lexington Parks - Isaac Murphy Art Garden

Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden (577 E. Third St.)

Location - on the east side of downtown, near Midland Ave, near Charles Young Park, Thoroughbred Park,          Northeastern Park

Playground? no

Trails? no

Other? amphitheater, artwork, historical connection

    After playing at Charles Young Park, we walked over here. As a sign of my age, I enjoyed reading the historical sign about Isaac Murphy, who was born a slave but became a famous Black jockey who won three Kentucky Derby races.  He owned a house on this site. The boys loved running around the amphitheater. This is also the beginning of the Legacy Trail.

I loved this part of his quote -- that his reputation was earned in the stable and in the saddle. I tried to explain to the boys what that meant. I pray that my boys are well-respected, both in their excellence in their respective fields but also with how they treat others and work hard when no one is looking.

There was also some artwork displayed around.

(Note: We visited all 88 LFUCG parks in the span of a Covid year -- mid-March 2020 to February 2021. 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)