The city of Lexington is preparing to celebrate the 100th birthday of Douglas Park. Organizers hope the centennial celebration will bring more people to the west end grounds.
Douglass Park, located just off Georgetown Street, is known for basketball games, band concerts, swimming, pet shows, and community meetings. First District Councilman James Brown says he grew up spending a lot of time in the 27 acre park. “For me and for countless others, the park for years has been a place to go when there was no other place to go," Brown said. "It became a social and cultural training ground."
This past June, five people were shot, one fatally, during Douglass Park’s annual 'Dirt Bowl' basketball tournament. Diane Marshall, president of the Georgetown Neighborhood Association, says the tragic incident could have happened anywhere. “You can’t let that stop you from doing what you need to do for the kids,” explained Marshall.
Douglass Park is named for civil rights leader Frederick Douglass.
Improvements are planned for the basketball courts and the parks and recreation department is seeking community comment for future upgrades to the playground and general park area. A park beautification event, complete with the planting of 100 trees, is scheduled for October 23 and 24. It will kick off a yearlong commemoration.?
