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Douglass Park To Get New All-Ages Playground

Alan Lytle

Lexington’s Douglass Park, which celebrates its one hundredth anniversary this year is getting a new playground.  That announcement Friday from Mayor Gray and the Park’s Centennial Commission.  First District Councilman James Brown helped secure the funding for the project, which he says is a great anniversary present.

The plan calls for the relocation of the toddler playground near the front entrance, closer to the rear of the park.  In its place will go the new all-ages playground.

First District Councilman James Brown, who heads up the park’s centennial commission, secured $160,000 from the mayor’s budget. 

Construction on the new playground will begin right after school starts up again in late August.

Credit Alan Lytle
First District Council Member James Brown says $160,000 has been secured in the mayor's budget to pay to relocate the toddler play area to the rear of the park, in its place will go the all-ages playground.

From LFUCG:

Douglass Park opened one of its birthday presents today … a design for a new playground.

The Park is 100 and a year-long celebration is underway, organized by a volunteer group, the Douglass Park Centennial Commission.

“Douglass Park is very important to the Georgetown Street neighborhood. A lot of people enjoy it. We want to make sure it’s up to date and well maintained,” Mayor Jim Gray said.

First District Councilmember James Brown said the playground is another opportunity for the city to show its commitment and investment in the community. “The community has been asking for a new playground for many years,” Brown said. “We’re excited to make it a reality while celebrating the park’s centennial.”

Brown requested $160,000 to relocate the current toddler playground to the back of the park and install a new, accessible playground designed for both younger and older children near the front of the park. Construction on the new playground will begin in August and completion is scheduled for early spring 2017.

Members of Commerce Lexington’s 2015-2016 Leadership Lexington Class formed 100 Hands for Douglass Park, a community service group dedicated to reviving the historic park. The group has raised money that will provide additional upgrades to the playground.

Centennial celebration plans also include:

  • A Douglass pool party, noon-4 p.m., Saturday, June 4, with free entry to the pool, music, food and games. The pool party is sponsored by Lexington Parks and Recreation.
  • The return of the Dirt Bowl Basketball Tournament on June 17-August 7.
  • Super Sunday neighborhood celebration on July 17.
  • The YMCA Back-to-School Rally on July 30.
  • And a talent show & pageant, family movie nights and family jazz/music nights to round out the summer.

   For more information on the centennial, please visit their Commission’s Facebook page, “Frederick Douglass Park Centennial Celebration.”

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