Spring has Sprung!
Spring has certainly sprung here in Lexington and it looks like Summer’s not far behind. It’s time to get outside! Lexington offers such an assortment of parks, hiking trails, swimming facilities, etc. that there’s absolutely no reason to be hiding inside during this gorgeous weather!
One of my family’s favorite nearby hiking spots is McConnell Springs. Nestled right in the heart of Lexington’s downtown, it’s a cleverly hidden surprise. William McConnell and his band of explorers camped at the natural springs found here in 1775. In honor of the first battle of the Revolution fought in Lexington, Massachusetts, William McConnell named this future settlement Lexington. In the proceeding years, the area served as a mill, a gunpowder factory, a distillery, and a dairy farm. Many of the stone fences from this time period still stand as well as foundations for several buildings. For much of the time after this spurt of activity, the site lay abandoned as Lexington expanded and grew beyond the springs, but in 1993, the Friends of McConnell Spring revitalized the area and it’s been a natural treasure in the heart of Lexington ever since! For more information on upcoming events and programs, visit the McConnell Springs website at http://www.mcconnellsprings.org/.
McConnell Springs, April 2012
Another family hiking favorite is Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Raven Run is a 734 acre nature sanctuary established to protect the Kentucky River Palisades and early Kentucky history. Many of the trails are heavily wooded, but there are also trails through the meadow and “flower bowl”. The park has over 10 miles of hiking trails and a newly built nature center. This time of year, the trails are lush and green, but don’t discount the beauty of their starkness in the fall and winter as well! For more information on activities at Raven Run (including a wildly popular “night walk”) please visit their website at http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=276.
If hiking isn’t quite your thing, never fear! Boyd Orchard is up and running for the season as well! Right now, strawberries are available in the store and peaches aren’t far behind. The orchard has a café, a store, a play area, “pick your own” areas for many of their fruits, and more! For their schedule of events, visit the website at http://boydorchards.com/.
Didn’t get your fill of the horse races? No problem! High Hope Steeplechase is coming up! A highlight of the spring season here in Lexington, the High Hope Steeplechase has been run at the Kentucky Horse Park for more than 40 years. Proceeds from the Steeplechase benefit a variety of local charities in addition to providing a fun filled day of outdoor fun! In addition to the horseracing, there is tailgating, terrier races, face painting and other children’s activities, and the beauty of the surrounding horse park. For more information, visit http://www.highhopesteeplechase.com/.
Music more to your liking? Easily accommodated! Outdoor concerts abound in the summer here in Lexington. Each Tuesday evening, you can find the Southland Jamboree to the side of Collins Bowling Lanes on Southland Drive. Their schedule of performers can be found at http://www.southlandassociation.com/events.php. Then, on Thursday nights, head downtown for Thursday Night Live! The Thursday Night Live schedule can be found at http://www.downtownlex.com/tnl-bands. Then, if you still haven’t had enough, head out to Talon Winery on Friday nights for their live music events. Their schedule can be found at http://www.talonwine.com/events.php.
Needless to say, there’s plenty to do and see in the coming weeks, so head outside! Walk around, enjoy the weather, see something new! This is the perfect time of year to be a tourist in your own city and explore all the activities you might have been missing! The best part, most of them are FREE! Happy exploring!
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