Lexington, KY - Happy Thanksgiving. I am honored to be serving my first year as 10th District representative to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. I am also excited to be writing for the Southsider Magazine. I grew up in Gardenside and have made my home in South Lexington for nearly 15 years. I look forward to discussing with you issues and happenings that are of interest to Lexington's south side.
Fall is a wonderful time to see colorful leaves and to enjoy milder temperatures in Lexington's parks. The newly restored Gainesway Pond and Educational Trail off Milano Road has a new boardwalk extending over Gainesway Pond that provides visitors a close look at native plants and animals in a wetlands environment. Over at the Wellington Dog Park off Clays Mill Road, a new dog run was recently completed that nearly doubles the size of the enclosed area, and a walking trail was finished this past summer. Be sure to take your family pet for a refreshing walk in the park.
The Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on Jacks Creek Pike is bursting with rich fall colors. A new Nature Center under construction will provide a great place to learn about the Kentucky River Palisades. If you haven't hiked the sanctuary's trails with your family, you don't know what you're missing.
Fall is also a time to prepare for winter. Leaf collection will begin on Monday, Nov. 9. Please visit www.lexingtonky.gov/leaves for the schedule in your neighborhood, or call LexCall at 311.
Please remember to winterize your home by removing garden hoses from outside faucets, installing weather stripping and caulking, and changing your HVAC filters and the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Also, Kentucky Utilities has a Residential Energy Audit Program to help you reduce the energy wasted in your home. Please visit www.eon-us.com/resaudit or call (800) 356-5467 for details.
Seasonal flu shots are available through the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and many local pharmacies. H1N1 flu shots will likely become available in early November. Up-to-date information is available through the Flu Hotline, (859) 288-7529, and online at www.LexFluCrew.com.
Big things are happening on Harrodsburg Road. The Springs Inn on Harrodsburg Road is being demolished. The Springs Motel first opened in 1948 and was a popular stop for folks in the horse industry. The owners have not announced any new development plans and the land is for sale. The Springs Inn was an iconic Lexington hotel and will be missed.
Rubloff Development Group has announced new conceptual plans to redevelop Turfland Mall, located across Harrodsburg Road from the Springs Inn. If put into action, the stores between Home Depot and the former Dillards would be torn down, and "Turfland Town Center" would be constructed with new commercial office, retail and residential space. The redevelopment of Turfland Mall could have a huge impact on South Lexington, and the Urban County Council will be monitoring this closely.
As winter approaches, please remember to call LexCall 311 (Mon. -
Fri.) with any questions you may have about LFUCG services. (Of course, be sure to call 911 if you have an emergency.) Also, please check on your elderly neighbors from time to time, and give generously to those less fortunate during the approaching holiday season.