July 7, 2025

Lexington Terminates ROTC Training Contract at Hisle Farm Park

News Summary

The Lexington city government has decided to end its contract with the University of Kentucky ROTC to use Hisle Farm Park for tactical training starting December 31, 2023. This decision follows public concerns about military exercises in a community park. Residents expressed that the military-like presence was inappropriate within the park, prompting city officials to seek alternative training venues for ROTC. The termination aims to balance military training needs with community comfort and safety while preserving the park as a welcoming space for all.

Lexington – The Lexington city government has announced that it will terminate its contract with the University of Kentucky (UK) Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for the use of Hisle Farm Park for tactical training, effective December 31, 2023. This decision comes after residents voiced concerns regarding the appropriateness of military training exercises taking place in a public park.

Since 2016, ROTC has utilized Hisle Farm Park to conduct training exercises that involved large groups of cadets wearing camouflage uniforms and carrying rubber guns designed to resemble real firearms, although they do not discharge ammunition. During a city council meeting held in June, community members expressed their discomfort with these exercises, labeling them as “jarring” and unsuitable for the park setting.

The contract between the ROTC and Lexington Parks and Recreation was slated for renewal this year. On a Thursday, the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council voted to discontinue allowing ROTC activities at Hisle Farm Park. Vice Mayor Dan Wu emphasized that allowing the ROTC to continue using the park until the end of the year would give officials time to find alternative training areas, minimizing disruption to the ongoing fall semester.

Concerns raised by residents included feelings of emotional distress due to the military-like movements and equipment displayed during ROTC exercises. Community members, including resident Deana Mullins, articulated that the presence of cadets engaging in military training was incompatible with the intended use of the park. Another resident, Anita Courtney, reinforced the notion that conducting military training in public spaces undermines the parks’ purpose as serene environments for all members of the community.

In response to the backlash, Lt. Col. Alan Overmyer, who oversees ROTC training, acknowledged the unique nature of the training and noted that the cadets had participated in paintball as a celebratory event in 2023, though he clarified that this was not common practice. He argued that practical training experiences are essential for their education, comparing it to completing laboratory work in a chemistry class.

Following the termination of the contract, the Lexington Commissioner of General Services revealed that UK ROTC officials are in talks to potentially relocate their training sessions to Bluegrass Station, a military-industrial-business park operated by the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, situated between Lexington and Winchester. This location is seen as a more appropriate venue for military training, allowing the ROTC to conduct its exercises without interfering with community comfort levels.

The recent decision underscores residents’ broader concerns regarding military training being conducted in public parks, particularly for individuals who may have been impacted by gun violence. Community voices have consistently emphasized the need for ROTC training to take place in settings more suited for such activities, ensuring that parks remain safe and welcoming environments for all visitors.

Additionally, a report indicated that previous ROTC training exercises conducted at Hisle Farm Park involved the use of paintball guns, which allegedly resulted in damage to trees and bird nests, further complicating communication between city officials and the ROTC. The new agreement between the ROTC and the city explicitly prohibits the use of any projectiles during training exercises moving forward.

The city council is scheduled to take up the final agreement with ROTC at its next meeting on June 12, marking an important step in redefining how military training is conducted within the community. The decision reflects an attempt to balance military training needs with public sentiment, aiming to foster a more harmonious relationship between residents and local governmental activities.