Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, Councilmember Tom Blues and other Parks supporters Thursday cut the ribbon opening a huge new playground at Masterson Station Park, offering safe fun and exercise for children of all ages, and creating a great picnic spot for families.
“We are very proud of our parks system and one reason is our playgrounds,” Gray said. “This playground stretches out over three-quarters of an acre and has all of the best ideas for safety and fun found in playground construction and equipment today.” VIDEO CLIP FROM EVENT.
Second District Councilman Blues said the new playground answers a need in the neighborhood and the 2nd District for fun activities and a safe place for youngsters to play. “It uses Lexington’s largest park for the benefit of parents and their small children and provides them with the means for creative play and exercise,” Blues said.
The ceremony at Masterson also involved the planting of new trees at the park by representatives of several local utilities and construction companies in observance of Safe Digging Month. The companies are urging citizens to call 8-1-1 before digging a hole in the yard or on public property. The goal is to avoid cutting buried utility lines.
“It is important when putting in playground or other equipment or trees in your backyard
that you call 8-1-1 before you dig,” said Tim Vaughn, with Kentucky 8-1-1. “Cutting or damaging utility lines can result in unnecessary and costly repairs.”
The playground at Masterson Station is the culmination of a five-year playground renovation plan in Fayette County, said Jerry Hancock, Director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. “Through this program over 20 playgrounds were renovated or replaced. Masterson is the first of several proposed ‘destination playgrounds’ that Parks hopes to build.”
The new playground is three times as big as an average neighborhood playground. It offers more types of play equipment, including play structures for ages 2-5 and 6-12.
In addition to play equipment for children, the playground is a place for outdoor fun for the entire family. The Masterson Station playground area includes a new volleyball court and a picnic shelter.
Long-term plans call for three more volleyball courts, five more picnic shelters and a permanent restroom building.
The playground was designed by Parks architects and paid for with local funds.
Gray thanked the companies involved in Safe Digging Month including Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Delta Natural Gas, Marathon Oil, Columbia Gulf Transmission, Kentucky Utilities, Leak Eliminators, ATS Construction, M&J Landscaping, Allen Company, Damage Prevention Specialists and Kentucky 8-1-1.