LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — On Tuesday, Lexington’s Division of Parks & Recreation unveiled the phase one plan for Cardinal Run Park North, a new multipurpose area for residents.

The park will total 192.2 acres — Cardinal Run Park North (137.6 acres) and Cardinal Run Park South (54.6 acres) — which will make it one of the city’s top five largest parks. The plan is to feature nature trails, sports courts and fields, a playground, and a dog park.

Mayor Linda Gorton said this is an exciting project because the city has not built a large park in quite some time.

“Cardinal Run Park North will be the first large community park we have opened in over 25 years,” Gorton said. “Large-scale parks serve the entire city. They have many amenities not found in neighborhood parks. In addition to recreational activities, they often serve as a green oasis for residents and wildlife, alike.”

The land where the park will sit was obtained by the city in 1997 and already contains a small playground and eight ball fields (built in 2000). It was not until now that the city could proceed with expanding the amenities within the park.

The city now plans to spend $24 million in federal coronavirus relief funding on parks and park improvements.

To find out more about the park plans and its timeline, visit lexingtonky.gov/parksandrecreation.