Charles Young Park

Charles Young Park and Community Center are located in the East End neighborhood of downtown Lexington. The community center contains a gym and is located on the edge of the park facing Third St. The park consists of a large playground area, open green space, Splash! sprayground, restroom building, and a paved multi-use ball court.

Splash! at Charles Young Park

Splash! is a nature-inspired water play zone now open within Charles Young Park. It is a connector between Charles Young Park playground and the nearby Town Branch Commons trail which runs along the park on Midland Ave. This gives direct access from the park and community center to the city’s trail network. It includes water-based nature play features, including a recirculating splash area whose design is intended to pull from the natural landscapes of Kentucky.

Charles Young Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and the design for Splash! compliments it's history. The play space is universally designed, safe for a wide variety of age groups, and offering amenities for comfort for caregivers and those stopping in off the trail. The history of Charles Young Park and Colonel Charles Young, who the park is named after, inspires the design and is features prominently in the interpretive signage, public art or other features, celebrating their cultural significance. 
 
Splash! was constructed and opened to the public in 2023.

Funding

The Splash! project at Charles Young Park was made possible thanks to LFUCG partners and leadership of Blue Grass Community Foundation. Generous financial support also comes from the following charitable donors:

  • Blue Grass Community Foundation
  • Knight Foundation's Donor Advised Funds at BGCF
  • American Water Charitable Foundation
  • Kentucky American Water
  • James Monroe Homes + James and Martha Monroe Charitable Fund at BGCF
  • J.M. Smucker Company
  • Community Ventures
  • Elhapa Foundation
  • Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund
  • Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative at BGCF
  • National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.
  • NABVETS Lexington Chapter #0023
  • Friends of the Parks of Fayette County
  • EHI Consultants, Inc.

Charles Young Community Center

Charles Young Community Center is a multi-use community center housing many programs including the Police Activities League, youth and teen activities and senior activities. The center also houses a United Way of the Bluegrass Waypoint Center and WORK–Lexington. A basketball court and stage are located inside the center on the back portion nearest to the playground.

Center hours:  
Open year-round
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:  9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday:  1 – 8:30 p.m.

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