A new look is coming for Phoenix Park: Here are 3 upgrades you’ll not want to miss
It’s more than some new-look upgrades to a city park. It’s an opportunity to polish an old jewel in Lexington’s crown.
That’s according to Michelle Kosieniak, who oversees planning for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
She envisions the much-anticipated $4.6 million renovation of Phoenix Park as an opportunity to join the recently revamped Charles Young Park and the proposed Town Branch Park as gathering spot gems in downtown Lexington.
Together, she said, the three parks could line the “spine of the city” and provide much-needed recreation space to local residents.
For more than 30 years, Phoenix Park has been a downtown Lexington landmark and a space for visitors while paying tribute to the famous Phoenix Hotel that stood in its place for more than 100 years previously.
After years of planning and postponement, Lexington Parks and Rec held a construction kick-off event at 10 a.m. Thursday on the second floor of the Lexington Public Library’s Central Branch instead of the initial location at the park due to rainy weather.
While renovations will make the park more attractive, there are no plans to expand it, city officials said.
“We think that this will be a generational change for this space downtown, and we’re really looking forward to opening it up next year,” Kosieniak said.
Families, dog owners and performers can expect major changes to the space when it reopens next spring.
In the meantime, here are three upgrades Lexington can look forward to:
A new performance area
Over the years, Phoenix Park has been used for events and performances by locals. Now, there will be a dedicated space for the performing arts, with the installation of a raised performance area (similar to a stage) in the center of the park.
“The biggest upgrade is something people will never see, and that’s the infrastructure,” Kosieniak said. “Phoenix Park was built so long ago we never anticipated performances there, so there is no provision for the electricity needed for amplification of events.”
The upgrades will include sound, LED lighting and electricity for performances, event hosting and food vendors.
New play space and equipment
Renovations will feature new play equipment for ages 2-12 and an interactive fog system, allowing people to play with water differently.
“In the evening, we imagine older children [and] grown children will enjoy that in the space as well,” Kosieniak said.
Speaking of grown children, Kosieniak said there will be newly installed swing sets designed for adult use.
Upgraded dog park
The area will feature artificial turf on the surface and new seating for dog owners.
Kosieniak said the turf installation follows suit with premium dog parks of similar urban park settings.
However, due to the limited size of the existing park, Kosieniak said there will not be additional space added to the area.
