March 18 – 25, 2023*
Water, water, everywhere – though oftentimes unseen! Lexington is celebrating Water Week this spring. Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of surface rivers and streams. Natural, underground waterways are also present in much of the state, including in Central Kentucky.
Join us in celebrating the importance of water and our role in protecting it. It’s a week of activities for all ages, abilities and interests.
Water Week is sponsored by Kentucky American Water, UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the City of Lexington and local watershed groups.
*Note: due to inclement weather, the Creek Critters event has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1.
Saturday, March 18
Reforest 5K | 8 – 9:30 a.m.
3551 Briar Hill Road, Lexington, Ky. 40516
Organizer: John's Run/Walk Shop and Division of Environmental Services
We're so excited to be back in person for this event at Hisle Farm Park, where proceeds from the 3.1 mile run/walk will help raise money to purchase trees for this year’s Reforest the Bluegrass.
All race participants will receive sustainability swag from Live Green Lexington, a Reforest 5K shirt, and the option to take a tree to plant at home after their run or walk. Participants can also choose to have their tree planted on their behalf at Reforest.
Sweep the Creek! | 9 a.m. – noon
830 Charwood Dr., Lexington, Ky. 40515
Organizer: Bluegrass Trout Unlimited
Volunteers will meet at the parking lot located at the end of Rockbridge Dr. and will be collecting litter and other trash from West Hickman Creek area in Veterans Park. The organizers (BGTU) will provide materials such as gloves, bags, buckets, etc. Participants should have footwear that is appropriate for wading or hiking the stream bank. Hickman Creek Conservancy members will also be present with trash collection gear. Volunteers can come for all or any part of the planned activity time period.
Parking in the small lot is very limited, but there is curbside parking on Rockbridge Dr.
Sunset Creek Walk | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington, Ky. 40515
Organizer: Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Join us on a quiet walk down to Raven Run Creek as the sun goes down. Trail will be moderate and about 3/4 mile in length. Participants are welcome to finish their evening by attending Stargazing with the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club, which will be held at Raven Run following the Sunset Creek Walk.
The front gate will open 15 minutes before program start time. Participants will park in our main visitor lot as directed by an onsite staff member, and then proceed to the nature center where the walk will begin.
Sunday, March 19
UK Stream Restoration Bioblitz! | 1 – 3 p.m.
181 Alumni Dr., Lexington, Ky. 40503
This event is a citizen science bioblitz effort being conducted at the Alumni Drive/Nicholasville Road stream restoration site on University of Kentucky's campus as a part of Lexington Kentucky's Water Week 2023. This bioblitz will focus on gathering as many field observations of the flora and fauna at the site as possible.
Parking will be available in the Orange lot across Alumni Drive from the stream restoration site.
Participants will need a smart phone with an active data plan, the iNaturalist app downloaded, and an active iNaturalist account (free). Close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for being outside based on the day's weather will be needed, along with water and any snacks or personal items that the participant may need.
A Wet and Wild Watershed | 2 – 4 p.m.
565 Wellington Way, Lexington, Ky. 40504
Organizer: Neighbors United for South Elkhorn Creek
Please visit our table near the bridge (weather cooperating) and learn more about South Elkhorn Creek watershed, water quality, and see our kid-friendly display demonstrating factors which impact water quality!
Monday, March 20
Bilingual Guided Hike through McConnell Springs | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
416 Rebmann Lane, Lexington, Ky. 40504
Join us for a slow, guided walk around McConnell Springs Park to learn about the water features unique to the area and the role of the park throughout Lexington’s history. This event will be led in English, with translation services available in Spanish.
Tuesday, March 21
Stormwater Grants Virtual Q&A | 6 – 7 p.m.
City staff are offering question and answer session opportunities for community members who want to learn more about the Class A Neighborhood and Class B Education Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants and the application process.
The Q&A is open to the public and will be held over Zoom.
Wednesday, March 22
Stormwater Grants Virtual Q&A | 2 – 3 p.m.
City staff are offering question and answer session opportunities for community members who want to learn more about the Class A Neighborhood and Class B Education Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants and the application process.
The Q&A is open to the public and will be held over Zoom.
Friday, March 24
PFAS and the Future of Water and Public Health: A Conversation with Rob Bilott | 10 – 11 a.m.
Singletary Center Recital Hall, 405 Rose Street, Lexington, Ky. 40506
Organizer: Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute
The keynote presentation with panel and facilitated discussion with Rob Bilott, the environmental lawyer who became “DuPont’s worst nightmare,” according to The New York Times after his legal battle to expose the health hazards of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The story in his book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle Against Dupont, inspired the major motion picture, Dark Waters (November 2019), featuring Academy-Award nominee Mark Ruffalo as Rob Bilott. The event is free with seating available on a first-come first-served basis.
This event is sponsored by University of Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute in conjunction with the UK Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences, UK Superfund Research Center, the UK Center for the Environment, and the UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
Visitor parking is available at Cornerstone Garage (409 South Limestone) at an hourly rate.
Canceled: UK CATchment Cleanup | 3 – 6 p.m.
Note: this event has been canceled due to inclement weather.
Farm Road
Organizer: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Water Quality Extension
This event is a service-learning event at the University of Kentucky's Farm Road Rain Garden. Participants will learn about green infrastructure for stormwater management and the benefits of incorporating green spaces and outdoor learning environments into campus. There will also be a service portion of the event where participants will clean up trash, manage plants, and mulch the site.
The event's primary focus is UK students from around campus, but community members are welcome to stop by. However, no parking will be available nearby for individuals without a UK parking permit.
Close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for being outside based on the day's weather will be needed, along with water and any snacks or personal items that the participant may need.
Saturday, March 25
Household Hazardous Waste Day | 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1631 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, Ky, 40504
Fayette County residents can drop off the hazardous materials that have accumulated in their homes. The city will properly dispose of them, free of charge.
Shillito Park Trash Pickup | 9 a.m. – noon
300 W. Reynolds Road, Lexington, Ky. 40503
Organizer: UK Lewis Honors College
Help us pick up trash from Reforest the Bluegrass sites at Shillito Park! Wear closed-toed shoes. Dress for the weather and plan to get muddy.
Park in the gravel lot across from the fire station.
Let's Go Plogging! | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
317 S. Ashland Avenue, Lexington, Ky. 40502
Organizer: John's Run/Walk Shop
Plogging combines jogging and picking up litter. It's a fun way to improve your health and the health of your community. Join us at John's Run/Walk Shop on South Ashland Ave. for running and cleaning our streets.
We'll provide you with trash bags and routes of varying distances. After the run, we'll weigh everyone's trash bags and raffle off awesome prizes. Wear comfortable running clothing and shoes.
Canceled: UK Stream Restoration Bioblitz! | 10 a.m. – noon
Note: this event has been canceled due to inclement weather.
570 Wildcat Court, Lexington, Ky. 40502
Organizer: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Water Quality Extension
This event is a citizen science bioblitz effort being conducted at the Alumni Drive stream restoration site adjacent to John Cropp Softball Stadium on University of Kentucky's campus as a part of Lexington Kentucky's Water Week 2023. This bioblitz will focus on gathering as many field observations of the flora and fauna at the site as possible.
Participants will need a smart phone with an active data plan, the iNaturalist app downloaded, and an active iNaturalist account (free). Close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for being outside based on the day's weather will be needed, along with water and any snacks or personal items that the participant may need.
Canceled: Sweep the Creek | 10 a.m. – noon
Note: this event has been canceled due to inclement weather.
2800 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Ky. 40502
Organizer: Hickman Creek Conservancy
A tributary of West Hickman Creek runs along the edge of the Centenary Church property on Tates Creek Road. Volunteers will be collecting trash and litter from the stream bed and surroundings. Hickman Creek Conservancy will provide equipment such as "pickers," bags, gloves, etc. Participants should wear appropriate footwear for wet conditions.
Participants may park in the parking lot on the Tates Creek Road side of the building.
Earth Hour Night Hike | 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
416 Rebmann Lane, Lexington, Ky. 40504
Celebrate Earth Hour with a night hike in the dark. Earth Hour encourages everyone to have a one hour "lights off" moment to show support for our planet. The slow-paced walk will be along the paved trails of the park.
Saturday, April 1
Creek Critters | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
3770 Forest Green
Organizer: Hickman Creek Conservancy
Join us to learn about the macroinvertebrates that live in our creeks! Family friendly event. Close-toed shoes required please.
Self-guided events
Storm drain stenciling
Many people do not know that storm drains lead directly to our waterways. Storm drain stenciling helps educate residents about water quality and tells people not to pour any chemicals or waste down storm inlets or drains. The stencil also provides a constant reminder that our storm drains lead straight to local waterways and that dumping can pollute those waters. Environmental Services has stenciling kits to sign out.
Town Branch Water Walk
A self-guided tour of Town Branch Commons and the water that runs beneath it. By walking the trail downtown, visitors may stop at 5 points to learn more about the city's water system and its history. This is a permanent installation and website that will be available beyond Water Week activities. Various translations are available online for the materials found on permanent signs along the trail by visiting the website.
Water Quality Geocaching
Ready for a water-themed adventure? Take part in this real-world, outdoor treasure hunt to learn about water quality topics throughout Lexington. The Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works has hidden a number of geocaches to draw attention to water issues throughout the city. The goal is to highlight infrastructure projects, local creeks, and water-related points of interest.