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! recently completed the design and community input phase. The final design responds to input from the community received by residents, including kids and various community stakeholders.
Funding
The Splash! project at Charles Young Park is made possible by a $900,000 grant from Blue Grass Community Foundation. Support comes from the following charitable donors and BGCF fundholders: Blue Grass Community Foundation, Community Ventures, J.M. Smucker Co., James Monroe Homes, James and Martha Monroe Charitable Fund at BGCF and Knight Foundation Donor Advised Charitable Fund at BGCF. Splash! also received a grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Building Better Communities Grant, administered by the National Recreation and Park Association, for $250,000.
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.