Connecting Parks, People & Businesses: The Impact of Town Branch Commons
By Louis Johnson, Executive Vice President, Land Planning, Gresham Smith
A decade in the making, Town Branch Commons has emerged as a transformative multimodal transportation and linear park system that runs through the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Born out of a 10-year collaboration among government entities, land owners and the local community, this groundbreaking project successfully links Lexington’s urban core with its iconic Bluegrass countryside. Beyond its aesthetic attributes, the new 2.2-mile park system has served as a catalyst for positive change within the city, fostering connections among residents, neighborhoods and the business district.In this article, I explore Town Branch Commons’ impact on public spaces and the community, as well as its role in addressing broader urban challenges in Lexington.
Town Branch Commons brings new light to the city’s original water source, Town Branch Creek. Photo by Ty Cole.
Paying Homage to a Hidden Legacy
The origins of Town Branch Commons can be traced back to the recognition of historic Town Branch Creek, the city’s original water source. Established alongside the creek in the late 1700s, Lexington faced cholera outbreaks, leading to the burial of the stream beneath its streets. Town Branch Commons brings new light to this hidden waterway, retracing its route through an intricate network of paths, trails and public spaces. 
The interconnected park system promotes the exploration of new neighborhoods easily accessible by bike or on foot. Image by Frank Döring Photography..
A Place for Everyone
At the heart of Town Branch Commons lies a commitment to the Complete Streets design philosophy. The greenway path within the corridor safely accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists, linking the previously separated Town Branch and Legacy trails to form an uninterrupted 22-mile trail—the focal point of an expanding citywide network. By separating pedestrians and cyclists from motorists, the project has significantly enhanced bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and vehicular systems in Lexington, establishing a world-class public infrastructure system. Additionally, by linking residential communities, parks, and downtown Lexington, the urban trail system not only promotes the exploration of new neighborhoods easily accessible by bike or on foot, but also connects people to jobs and housing. 
The recently opened Splash! At Charles Young Park connects directly to Town Branch Commons. Image by Frank Döring Photography.
Championing Equity & Inclusion
Town Branch Commons stands as a symbol of progress, notably demonstrated by the rejuvenation of Charles Young Park within the East End neighborhood of downtown Lexington. Led by Erin Masterson, a senior landscape architect at Gresham Smith, this initiative has become a cornerstone in reconnecting a historically Black community. At the center of this transformation lies “Splash!”—an immersive, nature-inspired water play zone that links Charles Young Park to the citywide trail system, extending its impact on the broader Lexington region. This imaginative addition breathes new life into a historically significant but often overlooked public space, representing a significant leap toward enabling equitable access for all members of the community. Reimagining Charles Young Park—now one of the most-visited parks in downtown Lexington—the water attraction’s design incorporates interpretive elements that tell the story of Colonel Charles Young, a trailblazer who became the first African American Colonel in the U.S. Army. Beyond its function as a recreational oasis, Splash! serves a dual purpose by educating visitors about the profound cultural roots embedded in the East End neighborhood as well as the park itself. Dating back to the segregated 1930s, Charles Young Park was originally established as the city's second outdoor public recreation space designed specifically for African Americans. The transformation of the park reflects a conscientious effort to create a space that not only honors history, but actively champions the principles of equity and inclusion.
Stormwater-capturing features along the Town Branch Commons trail, including bioswales, rain gardens and pervious paving, promote enhanced stormwater management. Photo by Ty Cole.
An Environmental Win-Win
In addition to promoting equity and connectivity, Town Branch Commons introduces numerous environmental benefits by incorporating green infrastructure into downtown Lexington. This includes the introduction of stormwater-capturing features such as bioswales, rain gardens and pervious paving. Augmenting stormwater management, Lexington’s new green streets play a vital role in mitigating urban flooding during extreme weather events. Moreover, the planting of over 300 trees along the greenway triples the number of trees in the urban core, providing shade and reducing the heat island effect. This increase in native plantings not only alleviates pressure on the stormwater system but also improves biodiversity, microclimates, and the look and feel of the downtown landscape, creating more enjoyable communal spaces during Lexington’s hot summer months. 
Town Branch Commons’ reimagined public spaces and walking and bike trails provide accessible opportunities for physical exercise. Image by Frank Döring Photography.
Promoting Health, Well-Being & Social Connectedness
Town Branch Commons has also become a vital hub for encouraging outdoor recreation and a more active lifestyle. Its reimagined public spaces and walking and bike trails provide accessible opportunities for physical exercise, promoting cardiovascular health and overall fitness. The presence of natural elements within the Commons, such as its trees and open spaces, has also been linked to improved mental well-being. Additionally, the communal areas serve as gathering spaces for social interactions, reinforcing a sense of community.
Design features like native switch grass buffers, iconic stacked limestone walls, and bioswales create a sense of place and protection for trail users. Photo by Ty Cole.
Elevating Safety & Convenience
From 2015 through 2019, the corridor experienced 56 “Vulnerable Road User” crashes, with nearly 70% resulting in injuries. Given this history, Town Branch Commons represents a significant investment in creating a lasting safety impact that's commensurate with both its function and revitalization. To address conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists, separate facilities were provided for frequent and high- volume users along the shared path and at intersection crossings. This was achieved through the implementation of pavement markings, signage and clearly defined throughways, all while preventing encroachment onto business frontages. Resembling both limestone creek bedrock and the iconic stone fences found in the Bluegrass countryside, limestone walls also contribute to safety by acting as traffic barriers. This commitment to enhancing safety and accessibility also extends to improved connections with Lexington’s Downtown Transit Center—a crucial hub for transportation. Through a collaborative effort between Gresham Smith and Lextran (Lexington’s public transit authority), substantial upgrades were implemented at the Transit Center. These include the incorporation of signalized crossings and a comprehensive overhaul of the crossing infrastructure. This not only facilitates the integration of the trail system with public transit, but also elevates safety and convenience for daily commuters. 
Town Branch Commons serves as the centerpiece of Lexington’s citywide park system. Photo courtesy of Gresham Smith. Image by Frank Döring Photography.
Smart Urban Planning
The success of Town Branch Commons underscores the transformative power of urban planning. By connecting commercial, retail, entertainment, and restaurant clusters to the local community, and by fully integrating the use of roadways along this stretch of corridor, the project has not only boosted tourism but has also played a vital role in stimulating economic growth—particularly by bolstering the success of local businesses. Serving as the centerpiece of Lexington’s citywide park system, Town Branch Commons has established Lexington as a prime example of smart urban planning and community-centric development, setting a benchmark that other cities can look to for both inspiration and guidance. AUTHOR BIO:
Louis Johnson is an Executive Vice President of Gresham Smith’s award-winning landscape architecture and civil engineering practice with offices in Nashville, TN Louisville, KY, Lexington, KY and Atlanta, GA. Louis has been instrumental in nationally recognized, transformative urban complete street projects like Town Branch Commons (Lexington, KY) and Broadway All the Way (Louisville, KY). Louis’ work and collaborations have been highlighted in Landscape Architecture Magazine from innovative stormwater management and multimodal projects to tactical urbanism installations.