Mayor Linda Gorton, councilmembers, several sponsors, and neighbors cut a ribbon this morning to officially open “Splash! At Charles Young Park.”
“What a wonderful addition to Charles Young, bringing water play space downtown and to the East End neighborhood, while telling the story of Brigadier General Charles Young,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.
Splash! is a large, nature-inspired, interactive water feature. It connects the Park’s new playground, basketball court, and Community Center to the Town Branch Commons Trail. The Trail is connected to several downtown parks, and other trails that lead out into the Bluegrass countryside.
Splash! and the playground have features for children of all ages and abilities, and offer comfortable seating for parents and those who need a break from the Trail.
The design for Splash! was inspired by the Bluegrass landscape, mimicking rock formations and creeks found in Fayette County.
The rich history of the Park, and the life of Brigadier General Charles Young, also inspired the design.
In 1930, when the city bought four acres downtown for Charles Young Park, it was the second parcel of land purchased to serve the recreation needs of the African American community in what was then a segregated city.
Like its namesake, now Brigadier General Charles Young, the first African American to achieve the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army, the Park has overcome its humble beginnings. (Brigadier General Young recently received a posthumous honorary promotion.)
Splash! features educational information through interpretive signs about Brigadier General Charles Young, the Park, and the cultural history of the East End neighborhood. An etched timeline detailing the life of Brigadier General Charles Young surrounds the perimeter of the splashpad.
“The splash park will be a true asset to our East End community,” said Percy Thomas, Chair of the Charles Young Center Advisory Board.
“This project is a clear example of how public and private investment can improve the quality of life for our neighbors,” Councilmember James Brown said. “Through true community engagement, Splash! highlights and showcases the history of the neighborhood, cementing its cultural identity, figuratively and literally.”
Gorton said that many dedicated partners have made Splash! possible, including the Blue Grass Community Foundation.
“For more than a decade, Blue Grass Community Foundation has been committed to the development of equitable parks and green spaces. The realization of ‘Splash! at Charles Young Park’ is a dream come true,” said Lisa Adkins, president/CEO of Blue Grass Community Foundation. “It has been an honor to lead a collaboration of largely local charitable givers who made Splash! possible, with a special shout-out to Knight Foundation Donor Advised Charitable Fund at BGCF that issued the initial $600,000 matching challenge. We couldn’t be more excited that children in the East End and across Lexington have a new spot for fun, creative and safe water play that also brings to life the significant history of Brigadier General Charles Young.”
Splash! was also made possible, in part, with a $250,000 donation provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation. “Kentucky American Water is pleased to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation and the City of Lexington to provide equitable and accessible water-based play spaces to the Lexington community,” said Kathryn Nash, president of Kentucky American Water. “We hope this one-of-a-kind splash pad will also help raise public awareness around the Town Branch, Lexington’s historic water source, and the valuable role we each play in caring for our watersheds.”
For more information about Charles Young Park, visit lexingtonky.gov/charles-young-park.
