Reconnecting Lexington to its Water Source Through Water Play

Celebrating Town Branch Creek

Located right next to Gatton Park’s Adventure Playground in Lexington Kentucky, this interactive water play project combines fun with scientific exploration. Designed by Sasaki and Goric Playgrounds, this custom creation using equipment by Kaiser & Kuehne was built into the multi-level landscape.  Constructed with limestone channels, stone elements and manipulative components, the design invites children to experiment with damming, pooling, and redirecting water all while cooling off.

The layered play system integrates play, education and ecological restoration, encouraging hands-on learning about hydrology and local water systems. “We want playgrounds to be well loved and well used; water play invites children and adults alike to play and experiment, to talk to their neighbor and to enjoy the calming aspects of water in ways that are just not possible with other play equipment.” said Laura Guscott, President of Goric Playgrounds. The celebration of water at Gatton Park supports one of the original ideas behind the park, reveal, revive and connect the community to Lexington’s original water source, Town Branch Creek.

A Location with History, Built for the Future

The location has a long history. Over the centuries, the site has been home to early settlements, industrial uses, railroads, and eventually parking infrastructure for Rupp Arena. The 10 acres of asphalt was the perfect opportunity to create a destination park at the end of the new Town Branch Commons Trail through downtown Lexington, which is built on the old path of Town Branch Creek (now covered with roads). The goal was to improve and enliven bike and walking networks downtown and connect to regional bike networks.  The Gatton Park Conservancy began early planning for the park nearly a decade ago with a  focus on the restoration and stabilization of Town Branch Creek, and construction was completed in 2025.

A Destination Playground with Everyone in Mind

The project was not created in isolation. Over 16,000 community members from children to nature and wellness enthusiasts contributed ideas to the vision of this dynamic public space. The park features a playground, dog park, amphitheater, bike trails, a café, and a butterfly garden and plaza. The result is an inclusive place meant to serve everyone — a community destination shaped directly by the people who will use it.

Combined with the community’s input, the designers of the play area were inspired by local culture, ecosystems, geology, and hydrology.  This gave rise to a playground design that honors the local history of water-powered grist mills and karst formations. The design of the water play area mimics the flow of water between the cracks of local limestone that create small springs with its multi-level design. “The stone was an important part of water play to tie it back to the local geology/ecology.”  Kira Sargent, lead landscape architect from Sasaki stated. The design choice serves two purposes; “it’s also more fun and more dynamic!” she added.

Designed for Curiosity and Collaboration

Durable natural materials, rugged time-tested stainless steel, and thoughtfully placed channels create opportunities for sensory engagement and collaborative problem-solving. Using Goric’s stainless steel water gates and wheels, basins, troughs, and hand pumps, kids test cause-and-effect, observe flow patterns, and adapt strategies to guide water through the site. The signature grist mill tower in the adjacent Adventure Park and the water play area were situated close together to represent both the human manipulation and natural flow of water reminiscent of the area’s local history.

8 foot Challenge

The desire for the play experience to be more dynamic with multiple play levels resulted in an 8 foot grade drop that did present a challenge or two.  This custom water play arrangement features a recirculating water system.  Getting the outflows to connect to the underground water storage tanks and the pump room (which was located at a far distance in the new plaza building) and then getting it to flow back to the water feature wasn’t an easy problem to circumvent.

Navigating Rough Waters

“It was a challenge to get the recirculating system to work. We had to navigate major constraints on each element’s elevation and location given the proximity to the 1% floodplain and the overall layout of the park.” Sargent said. “It required very careful coordination between experts in several disciplines; civil engineers, landscape architects, architects, fountain MEP engineers, and Goric.”

An Exercise in Precision

Another challenge was the stone work. The design intention was to have something that looked natural. The challenge was achieving that look but also meeting the tight tolerances you need to get ADA climber routes and to get equipment to extend across multiple levels like Goric’s Archimedes screw. “To get equipment to connect and span multiple levels, the stone had to be precise, so maintaining the hand-carved look took a few mock-ups and shop drawings,” shared Sargent. “Collaborating and working with Sasaki to help bring their concepts and vision to life was an exciting endeavor.” Guscott remarked.

Inclusivity At All Levels

All aspects of an inclusive space surrounding the 14,000 square foot water play area were taken into consideration. Abundant Playscapes was consulted to make sure that the playground met safety standards and had opportunities for people of all abilities.  From the ADA climber routes, to built in seating to the fact that the restrooms are located directly beside the water play area it is clear that all visitors to the park were taken in to account when creating this playscape.

Ecological Support

Plant selection was also a part of the inclusive design of the space. There is a sensory garden behind the water play area with lots of different smells and colors attracting both children and insects.

The landscaping effort extended to the bank of Town Branch creek, which borders the whole southern edge of the playground. With creek restoration being a major focus of the overall project, invasive species were removed and native riparian plantings were introduced along the stream bank to establish a stable and healthy riparian buffer.

Purposeful Play

Goric and Sasaki’s water play installation supports ecological goals by reconnecting visitors with the town’s original water source and demonstrating sustainable water management techniques on a small scale. Landscape architecture and play design are blended together to create an inviting, educational, and inclusive space that fosters curiosity about water, Lexington’s history, and the environment. “It’s very rewarding to see the community use and enjoy the space that you’ve helped to design,” Guscott reflected. This installation is a practical yet symbolic part of a project that has transformed what was once a sea of asphalt into a living breathing hub of this vibrant bluegrass community. It is a playscape with purpose!