LEXINGTON, Ky. — Families can now put their rock-climbing skills to the test on Lexington's newest outdoor climbing structure at North Eastern park.
The city recently cut the ribbon on its newly customized outdoor rock-climbing boulders.
Lexington Parks and Recreation Superintendent of Planning and Design Michelle Kosieniak says kids from the area played a part in the plan for the northeast park.
“We met with the kids from the neighborhood and asked them what they were interested in and we had them vote on some pictures of equipment and playground equipment and climbing emerged as a theme they wanted to do some challenging climbing,” Kosieniak explained.
The play structure is part of a $10 million project from the city to help with what they say are needed updates among its various parks.
The boulders are made in different sizes, made from cement and carved to a rocky perfection. Kosieniak says aside from resembling the real thing, the structure also allows kids to feel comfortable with a challenge.
“They do have different skill levels of everything from beginner to medium there and we’hope that if you master that maybe you’ll plan a trip to the Red River Gorge and go real rock climbing,” Kosieniak said.
L’escalade Fitness climbing Program Director and Head Coach Blake Clarkson, and his team are some of the first to experience that challenge as climbing pros. They provided equipment to help make everyone’s first time on the boulders safe and enjoyable.
Clarkson says he hopes the boulders encourage people around the city to try something they may not do every day.
“We’re excited just to have more climbing here in Lexington and to get more people excited about climbing and get people to come to visit the gym but also to enjoy outdoor climbing and to have a fun place to climb in downtown Lexington,” Clarkson said.
The park will also dedicate a memorial bench to a 10-year-old from the area—Landon Hayes, who lost his life last year to an incident linked to domestic violence.
Now, with a place built with fun in mind, the kids in the area have a place to practice, play and remember a kid who once played in the same park.