Inclusion, Collaboration, a New Team Member and More!

A message from Town Branch park

Town Branch Park stands firmly against racism and hate.  Since inception, Town Branch Park has been envisioned as the community’s living room - an extraordinarily beautiful and dynamic space for people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences to interact.  We remain committed to this vision, and believe that public spaces, like Town Branch Park, matter more now, than ever before.

In 2018, Town Branch Park, in collaboration with the Town Branch Park Partners and following extensive dialogue with our community, released the Town Branch Park Inclusion Report as a deliberate first step toward insuring that inclusion is at the forefront of all decisions related to park design, programming and operations.  This is but a start to our commitment to creating a place where everyone belongs, and that generates opportunities for shared experience among people of diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, age, gender and socio-economic status.  We will not be bystanders, but rather pledge to listen and to work in partnership with the communities we serve to be a place of healing.

Allison Lankford

Executive Director

Meet Town Branch Park's Newest Team Member 

Please join us in welcoming Ralph Coldiron to the Town Branch Park team as project coordinator, overseeing design and construction.
 
Ralph brings a wealth of experience with high-profile downtown projects. Most recently, he spent three years as project coordinator for City Center, a $265 million multi-use, full block redevelopment project in downtown Lexington.
 
Ralph, who has a master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Kentucky University, also has held senior leadership positions for a variety of Lexington businesses and organizations, such as Centex Engineering & Construction, Equestrian Events Inc. (Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event), Lexington Professional Baseball Co. and Gray Construction.
 
This is a critical step in continuing the momentum and vision of Town Branch Park. We are excited to have Ralph on board as we begin the project’s next phase!
 
As demonstrated by his long-standing ties and service to Lexington, Ralph appreciates the importance of community and understands that through exceptional design and thoughtful programming, Town Branch Park will enhance the quality of life and nurture the health and well-being of our people, the entire community, the environment and our economy.

“I’m excited about having the opportunity to work with the Town Branch Park board and staff,” says Coldiron. “We are building one of the most premier urban parks in the United States. We have great partners in the Lexington Center and LFUCG – both of which are instrumental in this process. It’s a huge team effort among the board, government, fund-raisers and others who have helped get this effort off the ground. We will continue to work with the community to get input on the design and park plans. I understand how important this project is to downtown and the entire community. It’s an exciting time for Lexington and for Town Branch Park.” 

Town Branch Commons Update

Have you been curious about the construction on Newtown Pike?

You are looking at the new Town Branch Connector, an off-road dedicated trail connecting Town Branch Commons, Town Branch Trail and Legacy Trail. Construction is set to begin later this summer on Vine Street to build the Town Branch Commons Trail. Town Branch Commons will be a park and trail system roughly following the path of Town Branch. The Commons will include continuous bike and walking paths and a lush green band through downtown, connecting new and existing parks. Click here for more information.
 
Town Branch Park will anchor Town Branch Commons, connecting the Legacy Trail to the Town Branch Trail and linking our urban core to our remarkable bluegrass countryside. Be on the lookout for more construction. We cannot wait to take advantage of this remarkable new urban trail system!
 

Reimagining the Civic Commons

Town Branch Park is so excited to announce that Lexington has joined Reimagining the Civic Commons. Reimagining the Civic Commons is a dynamic group of civic leaders across the country working to find new and innovative ways to design and operate public spaces to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for their communities. This pioneering initiative started with Detroit, Philadelphia, Memphis and Akron; and Lexington is part of its expansion, which also includes San Jose, Minneapolis, Miami, and Macon.
 
Lexington will focus on Charles Young Park, Phoenix Park and Town Branch Park. Working with this network will allow us to explore new ways to bring about equitable and accessible public space that brings us together and enriches our city.