Gatton Park Opens as New Community Hub in Lexington

Lexington, August 24, 2025

News Summary

After years of planning and fundraising, Gatton Park has officially opened in downtown Lexington. Covering 10 acres, the park features playgrounds, walking trails, and an amphitheater, serving as a vibrant community space. The inauguration festivities included performances by local artists and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating this significant addition to the downtown landscape.

LEXINGTON — After a decade of planning, fundraising, and construction, Gatton Park on the Town Branch has officially opened its gates to the public. The park is situated in downtown Lexington, adjacent to the Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, offering local residents and visitors a new recreational space.

The opening ceremony, considered an emotional milestone for many involved with the project, included various performances, highlighted by a concert featuring American Idol winner Noah Thompson. Guests celebrated the park’s inauguration with festivities that lasted throughout the day, starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon and concluding with concerts that continued until 10 p.m.

Covering 10 acres, Gatton Park is designed to serve a variety of community needs. It features playground areas for children, scenic walking trails, and several engaging art installations that enhance the park’s environment. The site, which previously functioned as a parking lot behind Rupp Arena, has been transformed into a vibrant community hub.

The cost of the park’s development was approximately $55 million, entirely funded through private donations and comprehensive fundraising efforts. Construction officially commenced in August 2023 and included significant elements such as the restoration and daylighting of the Town Branch creek that runs through the park.

Among the park’s key attractions is the CommonSpirit Health Stage, a 5,000-seat amphitheater designed with tiered seating to host performances and events. Children can enjoy a water play area equipped with troughs, wheels, splash pads, and fountains, while a sizable 27-foot wooden play structure incorporates slides, climbing walls, and nets for play.

Gatton Park has also thoughtfully included separate dog parks catering to large and small dogs, in addition to expansive green spaces perfect for picnics and recreational activities. Educational aspects of the park are highlighted by informative signs about local wildlife and a display made up of fossils crafted from 117 precast panels, aiming to engage and inform visitors about the area’s natural history.

To enhance the visitor experience, the park provides free Wi-Fi and features interactive animal footprints along its pathways. Public input played a crucial role in the design process, ensuring the park meets the preferences and desires of the local community, creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

As the festivities unfolded, attendees enjoyed complimentary food from local food trucks and had access to parking facilities in designated garages surrounding the park. The excitement of the event reflected the culmination of years of planning and effort to bring this vision to life, signifying the potential of Gatton Park as an essential addition to Lexington’s downtown landscape.

Key Features of Gatton Park on the Town Branch

• Location: Downtown Lexington, next to Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena
• Total Area: 10 acres
• Cost: $55 million funded by private donations
• Opening Date: Official opening followed by a concert and community celebrations
• Main Attractions:
  • CommonSpirit Health Stage – a 5,000-seat amphitheater
  • Water play area with splash pads and fountains
  • 27-foot wooden play structure
  • Dog parks for both large and small breeds
  • Interactive educational components
  • Free Wi-Fi access
• Community Input: Reflective design process involving local feedback

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: Gatton Park Opens
• Wikipedia: Gatton Park
• WKYT: Downtown Park Opening
• Google Search: Gatton Park Lexington
• Lex18: Gatton Park Officially Opens
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington, Kentucky
• Spectrum News1: Gatton Park Business Reaction
• Google News: New Downtown Park Lexington
• Kentucky.com: Community Celebrations at Gatton Park
• Google Scholar: Gatton Park Lexington

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.