Lexington's new downtown park opens Saturday with free concerts, events - WKYT

WKYT reports on the grand opening of Gatton Park, Lexington's newest downtown attraction built on a former parking lot.

After a decade of planning and two years of construction, Gatton Park officially opens to the public as Lexington's first park-conservancy partnership. The 12-acre green space transforms the former Rupp Arena parking lot into a central community hub featuring performance venues, recreational facilities, and restored historic waterways. The park aims to serve as "Lexington's new backyard" while revitalizing the downtown area and honoring the city's history through the restoration of Town Branch.

• Historic transformation: Built on Rupp Arena's former parking lot, featuring restored Town Branch waterway from the 1790s
• Comprehensive amenities: Great lawn for 5,000 people, performance stage, playground, dog park, and butterfly garden
• Community partnership: First park-conservancy model in Lexington, designed with ADA accessibility and free public access
• Grand opening celebration: Features all-day concerts including Kentucky native Noah Thompson, with free parking and entertainment