Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail is one of Lexington’s signature shared-use facilities, extending from downtown Lexington to the Kentucky Horse Park in northern Fayette County. This 12-foot-wide multi-use trail features numerous bridges over Cane Run, urban street navigation, and rural scenic views.

The project was delivered in partnership with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (District 7) and Lexington Parks and Recreation, supporting their shared vision of expanding safe, accessible, and connected trail infrastructure throughout the region.

Palmer Engineering was responsible for a 2.0-mile segment through the Kentucky Horse Park, with an aggressive schedule requiring design completion for:

• The multi-use trail and roadway improvements within the park

• Drainage system enhancements

• Expansion of three parking lots

• A new trailhead for parking

The project required avoidance of a 42-inch waterline and 8-inch force main along Ironworks Pike, as well as floodplain analysis at Cane Run Creek to ensure no rise occurred in the established flood study.

Additional highlights:

• Surveying services provided site control across six improvement areas and the trailhead using conventional ground survey methods.

• Roadway improvements along Ironworks Pike added turn lanes and realigned a segment of Nina Bonnie Boulevard, with careful coordination to minimize operational impacts at the Horse Park.

• Parking expansions near the Alltech Arena and Rolex Stadium utilized pervious asphalt, improving stormwater infiltration, reducing runoff, and enhancing water quality without unsightly retention ponds.

Masterson Station Trail

Palmer Engineering designed the 2,000-foot extension of the Masterson Station Trail, linking two existing trails and improving access to the park’s playground, in coordination with Lexington Parks and Recreation.

Project highlights:

• 12-foot-wide trail with a maximum 5% grade

• Required floodplain construction and Kentucky Division of Water (KYDOW) permits

• Completed design and construction within three months

Today, the trail serves a wide range of users — from walkers and runners to children and pets — as a vibrant connector within the community.

Whitney Young Park Trail

Palmer Engineering designed a 1,700-foot shared-use trail at Whitney Young Park in north Lexington, in coordination with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Design elements include:

• A 12-foot-wide loop trail around the athletic field

• Connections to the community garden and playground

• Improved connectivity to the surrounding neighborhood

The design strengthens neighborhood connections and promotes healthy, outdoor recreation opportunities.