Trail construction is underway! Work has now been completed on Newtown Pike, and work continues on Vine St., and Midland Ave.. Once completed at the end of 2022, these dedicated bike and pedestrian paths through the heart of downtown will connect to the Legacy Trail and Town Branch Trail creating a 5.5-mile loop on the north-side of downtown and providing access to the growing county-wide trails system. Visit the Trail Construction Updates page to stay up to date on current construction activities and traffic impacts.
Town Branch Commons is a transformative public-private park and trail system that traces the historic Town Branch Creek through downtown Lexington. It will be a strip of Bluegrass running through downtown. This winding park and trail system will roughly follow the path of Town Branch, Lexington’s first water source, which is located in a culvert under modern-day Vine St. The system will include continuous bike and walking paths, a lush green band through downtown, connect new and existing parks, and improve water quality. It will link our city’s two major trails, Town Branch Trail and the Legacy Trail, giving us 22 miles of uninterrupted trail, connecting downtown to our world famous rural landscape.
Town Branch Commons is all-inclusive of the Town Branch Park, Town Branch Trail, immediately adjacent parks, pedestrian spaces and connections to other downtown parks/plazas/etc. This comprehensive system is made possible by a public-private partnership between the City of Lexington and the Town Branch Fund.
There are two major projects underway by both the city and our private partners. Project components and responsibilities are:
- Town Branch Trail (City of Lexington project) is a dedicated bike and pedestrian path running through Town Branch Commons, running the length of Midland Ave. and Vine St. to the front of Rupp Arena. The City of Lexington, is managing this first phase of construction, which is fully funded by public resources.
- Town Branch Park (Town Branch Fund project) is the signature park at the western most part of the Town Branch Commons. This signature element is being funded by private donors committed to the success of the park, and efforts are being led by the Town Branch Fund. Learn more about the status of the park by visiting their website.
