Recreation Activities in Lexington...

If you know anything about Kentucky at all, you know that the state "bleeds blue" in support of its famed University of Kentucky Wildcats. Under the tutelage of coaches Hal Mumme and Orlando "Tubby" Smith, UK's football and basketball  programs respectively have enjoyed recent success. The 1998 basketball team won its seventh and unprecedented NCAA National Championship and the 1998 football team saw post-season bowl game action for the first time in many years. Transylvania University, also located in Lexington, is also known for its outstanding basketball program in the NAIA (National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics).

Now in its first season, the Lexington Men-O-War, an East Coast Hockey League franchise, take to the ice in the fall and winter at Lexington Center's Rupp Arena. In nearby Georgetown, the NFL's Cincinnati  Bengals hold their summer training camp at Rawlings Stadium on the campus of Georgetown College. And get ready… America's favorite pastime comes to the bluegrass in 2001.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Parks maintains more than 85 parks including swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts and ball fields. Some of the larger public parks in Lexington are Shilito Park, near Nicholasville Road; Jacobson Park, off Richmond Road; Veteran's Park, off Tates Creek Road; and Masterson Station Park, off Leestown Road.

The state's second largest mall,Fayette Mall on Nicholasville Road, and Joseph-Beth Booksellers, a nationally acclaimed book store in  the Mall at Lexington Green, are evidence that Central Kentuckians love to shop. The region's newest shopping center is Hamburg Pavilion at the intersection of I-75 and Man O' War Boulevard. Anchor tenants include Meijer, Target and Goody's. Because of its location, Lexington is the retail center for both Eastern and Central Kentucky. Whether you are looking for something old, something new, or something blue, Lexington is sure to have it!

The Arts
The Bluegrass is rich in the arts. Lexingtonians are treated to a wide variety of year-round entertainment. Opportunities abound for performers and artists alike. Created in 1986, the community is fortunate to have the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, a cultural planning organization that focuses its energies on fundraising and advocacy for the arts. Its leadership helps support more than 50 arts organizations in Central Kentucky. For more information, please contact the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council at (606) 255-2951.

Horse Havens
Steeped  in tradition, Keeneland Race Course draws people from afar for the racing season each April and October. Sales take place throughout the year. A highlight of Keeneland is the early morning  workouts. A local favorite is "Breakfast with the Works" held Saturday mornings during the live racing meet. Keeneland is located on U.S. 60 six miles west of Lexington and adjacent to  Blue Grass Airport. Lexington is also home to standardbred racing, The Red Mile has been racing horses since 1875. Horses pull drivers seated in small two-wheeled carts. Located just minutes from downtown Lexington on Red Mile Road. At the Kentucky Horse Park visitors can watch a harness maker at work, enjoy the parade of breeds, or take a horse-drawn carriage tour. Special events are held throughout the year, including the Rolex Three-Day Event and the High Hope Steeplechase. On Sundays at the park, polo matches are held for free. The Horse Park is located just off I-75 on Iron Works Pike.

Horse Farms in the area

Bourbon County/Paris-
Bourbon County and Paris are home to several of Central Kentucky's more notable horse farms including Stone Farm and Claiborne Farm. Paris Pike, from Lexington to Paris on U.S. 68, is a beautiful drive. Paris is northeast of Lexington. For more information, please call the Paris-Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce at  (606) 987-3205.

Clark County/Winchester-
East of  Lexington, Winchester, the county seat, is experiencing rapid growth. Winchester is best known for Ale-8-One, a ginger soft drink produced and bottled in Winchester. For more information, please call the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce at (606) 744-6420.

Jessamine County/Nicholasville and Wilmore-
The county seat of Jessamine County, Nicholasville is just 12 miles south of Lexington. Nicholasville is considered a bedroom community of Lexington with many of its residents commuting to work in Lexington. High Bridge, the nation=s highest railroad bridge over a navigable stream is in Wilmore. For more information, please call the Jessamine  County Chamber of Commerce at (606) 887-4351.

Madison County/Richmond and Berea-
South of Lexington, Madison County has lots to offer. Fort Boonesboro State Park is where Daniel Boone first settled in 1775 and is a popular recreational spot. White Hall State Historic Site in Richmond is the home of Cassius Marcellus Clay. The Hummel Planetarium and Space Theatre on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University has a state-of-the-art star show. Churchill Weavers and Berea College Crafts are in nearby Berea. For more information, please call the Richmond Chamber of Commerce at (606) 623-1720.

Scott County/Georgetown-
Scott County is north of Lexington. Georgetown, the county seat, is home to the Toyota plant, the summer training camp for the Cincinnati Bengals and, a local favorite, the Pumpkin Festival at Double Stink Hog Farm. For more information, please call the Georgetown-Scott  County Chamber of Commerce at (502) 863-5424.

Woodford County/Versailles and Midway-
West of Lexington, Woodford County is known in the commonwealth for their beautiful horse farms including Three Chimneys Farm, Lane's End, Airdrie Stud and Pin  Oak. For more information, please call the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce at (606) 873-5122.

Parks and Recreation
Recreational activities are plentiful in the Bluegrass. Within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Division of Parks and Recreation, there are three sections charged with developing, equipping and operating more than 3,000 acres of parks,  playgrounds, swimming pools and golf courses. The Parks section maintains 87 parks and the grassy areas of 140 medians. The Recreation section organizes a variety of activities and special events for  Lexingtonians. The Golf Section maintains the five public golf courses: Kearney Hill Links, Lakeside, Meadowbrook, Bluegrass Station and Tates Creek.

In the last five years, the Division of Parks and Recreation has further enhanced the parks with the addition of creative playgrounds and state-of-the-art swimming pools with water parks. Some of the larger parks in Lexington include: Shilito (off Reynolds Road), Douglass Park (on Georgetown Street), Castlewood Park (on Castlewood Drive), Jacobson Park (off Richmond Road), Masterson Station Park (off  Leestown Road), Veterans Park (off Tates Creek Road) and Woodland Park (off High Street).

Golf
The area also boasts many beautiful golf courses:

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