News Summary
The Lexington city government has decided to terminate its partnership with the University of Kentucky ROTC program, which allowed military training at Hisle Farm Park, effective December 31, following community concerns about military activities in public spaces. Residents expressed discomfort during city council meetings, emphasizing that the park should be a tranquil environment. The ROTC program has been using the park since 2016 for military training exercises, prompting significant backlash from community members advocating for a peaceful and nature-focused space.
Lexington – The Lexington city government has officially decided to terminate its partnership with the University of Kentucky ROTC program, which allows the usage of Hisle Farm Park for military training exercises. This decision will take effect on December 31, 2025, following public concerns raised by residents regarding the appropriateness of military activities in a public park context.
Since 2016, the ROTC program has utilized Hisle Farm Park for tactical training sessions where cadets don camouflage uniforms and carry rubber guns. Although these training props do not discharge actual ammunition, they bear a striking resemblance to real firearms, prompting anxiety among community members. Many residents voiced discomfort during a city council meeting in June, categorizing the ROTC exercises as “jarring” and feeling that such activities are “wholly incompatible” with the natural environment of the park.
The current contract with ROTC was up for renewal this year, and in response to citizen complaints, the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council voted in favor of discontinuing the ROTC’s usage of the park. One of the main issues raised was the potential emotional impact on survivors of gun violence who may be triggered by military simulations in a public setting. Further arguments from residents stressed that the park is intended for peaceful enjoyment and connection with nature, contrasting sharply with military drills.
Lt. Col. Alan Overmyer, who supervises the ROTC training operations, defended the program by noting that this year, cadets only engaged in one paintball activity as an end-of-year celebration. He underscored that such exercises are not a routine aspect of their training regimen. The Vice Mayor of Lexington, Dan Wu, articulated his personal disapproval of military training in public parks while asserting that allowing the ROTC to carry on training until the end of December would not hinder their schedule and would provide ample time to secure alternative venues.
In light of these developments, the UK ROTC is reportedly in discussions to move their training to Bluegrass Station, which is a military-industrial-business location situated between Lexington and Winchester. Various community members echoed concerns about military training appropriateness in public parks, with some suggesting that the ROTC explore other training facilities outside of these shared spaces.
Several individuals, including advocates like Anita Courtney and Chuck Eddy, called for the ROTC to relocate their activities to ensure the park remains a tranquil environment. David Cooper also expressed his opinion, arguing that the area is predominantly frequented by wildlife enthusiasts, making military activities inappropriate for its intended use.
Despite the backlash, Lt. Col. Overmyer defended the training initiatives, affirming that ROTC cadets are dedicated individuals striving to develop leadership skills while promoting a strong relationship with the local community. Previous concerns about paintball usage at the park, which included incidents of paintballs damaging trees and bird nests, led to a more stringent agreement forbidding all projectile use during any training exercises at the park.
Looking ahead, the city council is expected to vote on a new agreement concerning ROTC operations at its next meeting scheduled for June 12, 2025. As the situation unfolds, the Lexington community continues to express the importance of preserving the park’s serene environment for all residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky Politics News
- Wikipedia: University of Kentucky
- Fayette County News
- Google Search: Lexington Community Concerns
- UK Athletics News
- Google Scholar: military training public parks
- WKYT News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: ROTC
- Adam Prewitt Obituary
- Google News: public parks military activities
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER 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.
