Councilmember Liz Sheehan was first elected to represent the residents of the 5th District in November 2020; she was re-elected in 2022. In addition to her role as Councilmember, Liz works as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky.
Liz completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Virginia Tech University before earning her Master's degree and Ph.D. in Psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Liz began her educational career while in her Master's program and has taught at the collegiate level for over 15 years.
With her research and education background, Liz prioritizes data-driven, collaborative, and innovative solutions to our most pressing issues. She values civic engagement, responsible growth, good stewardship of our natural resources, fostering a welcoming community, and economic development.
Liz and her husband Dr. Dan Sheehan have a high schooler who attends Fayette County Public Schools. The Sheehans welcomed a new furry family member, a rescue dog named Jaja (Ya-Ya), in 2020.
Councilmember Sheehan’s unique perspective as an educator, civic leader, and working mother guides her service to the 5th District and Lexington.
Councilmember Sheehan's LFUCG Committee Assignments
Councilmember Liz Sheehan serves on the following LFUCG Standing Committees:
Councilmember Sheehan's LFUCG Boards and Commissions Assignments
Councilmember Liz Sheehan serves on the following LFUCG Boards and Commissions:
- Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Board
- Program, Performance & Evaluation Committee (Chair)
- Emergency Medical Advisory Board
- Neighborhood Action Match Program Review Board
- Access Lexington (formerly the Commission for People with Disabilities)
- Senior Services Commission
- Commission on Veterans' Affairs
Councilmember Sheehan's Community Organization Involvement
- Currently a member of the Junior League of Lexington, the Women’s Network, and the League of Women Voters.
- Previously served as the Chair of Lexington Fairness, the Vice Chair of the Environmental Commission, a Lexington Fair Housing Council board member, an Ashland Neighborhood Association board member, coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council, and served as a member of the CivicLex Governance Board.
- Graduate of the Citizens Fire Academy (class of 2023), Citizen Police Academy (class of 2021), the Community Environmental Academy (class of 2019-2020), Leadership Lexington (class of 2017-2018), and helped create the Public Engagement Toolkit for ImagineLexington.
About the 5th District
Lexington’s 5th Council District is home to many historic neighborhoods and numerous active neighborhood associations spanning across parts of the 40502, 40505 and 40517 zip codes. The district encompasses areas from Kenwick, to Idle Hour, Chevy Chase, Ashland, Ecton Park, Lansdowne-Merrick, Patchen Village, Plainview, Lakeview, and many others. Visitors may find themselves traveling through parts of the 5th District as they commute, work, shop, and dine along the Richmond Road corridor, Winchester and Liberty Road, as well as Alumni and Tates Creek Drive. The Lexington Senior Center, located off Richmond Road near Idle Hour Park, provides many services and activities to Lexington's senior community. With many unique parks ranging in size and many walkable neighborhoods, residents and visitors alike can take time to appreciate the natural beauty and greenspaces found here. The 5th District is a wonderful place to work, own a business, find leisure, appreciate history, and call home.
City Parks in the 5th District
- Clay's Spring Park
- Ecton Park
- Idle Hour Park
- Johnson Heights Park
- Kenwick Park
- Lakeview Park
- Lansdowne-Merrick Park
- Mount Tabor Park
Public Schools in the 5th District
Elementary Schools:
Middle Schools:
High Schools:
Kenwick Community Center
Kenwick Community Center is a one-story building with a basement that includes a pool table, weight room, library, crafts room, gaming room/TV, and two restrooms. Kenwick also has a gymnasium with two nine-foot goals, a treadmill room, and an Esports room on the first floor. Kenwick offers five parking spaces in front of the building and a playground across the street.
Learn more at the Kenwick Community Center webpage!
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects in the 5th District
In the 5th District, ARPA dollars have assisted with:
- Upgraded bathroom and concession facilities at Ecton Park
- Upgraded sports courts at Lansdowne Merrick and Mount Tabor Park
- Capital improvements to United Way of the Bluegrass and the Refuge Clinic.