12-mile Legacy Trail includes local art, bike accomodations

By Olivia Jones

news@kykernel.com

The Bluegrass Community Foundation has partnered with Lexington Parks and Recreation to launch a 12-mile exercise leisure trail.

“We wanted to have a namesake project in Lexington after the World Equestrian Games,” said Bluegrass Community Foundation Director Jerry Hancock. “We wanted something to leave a legacy … for 50-plus years.”

According to the Legacy Trail’s official website, more than 8.5 miles of the trail were created back from the street, adding a greater sense of nature. The trail is paved to facilitate mobility, using limestone as the main material in construction.

BCF’s Planning and Design Department said that a number of the efforts to create the trail came from volunteers, and means to stay within the budget came from a local undisclosed bike club.

Local artists’ works are featured along the trail with differing themes.

“Most people come to enjoy the trail, but the artwork adds a whole other element to the experience,” said Keith Lovan of the city’s Division of Engineering.

Lovan said the public plans include measures to add additional art bits to the trail sometime in the future.

Legacy Trail features a stone amphitheater, handicap accessibility, rest areas, gardens, bike racks and recycling opportunities throughout.

“My boyfriend and I love exercising together — we’ve done mud runs before and I would love for Legacy to have one, or a 5K. It’s just so pretty there,” health sciences freshman Kaley Carney said.

Although there are no plans for any 5K races yet, Legacy volunteer and donation coordinator Eric Howard said that Second Sunday is a popular event that promotes healthy lifestyles. It was hosted at the trail this month.

The trail begins in downtown Lexington and covers the scope between the Kentucky Horse Park and Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden.