About Nicholasville Jessamine County Parks & Recreation
Serving Our Community With Pride
The Nicholasville/Jessamine County Parks & Recreation Department is funded by the City of Nicholasville and Jessamine County Fiscal Court. The Parks and Recreation Department operates recreational and cultural programs and maintains more than 15 parks, consisting of 250 acres. The department helps maintain the parks, aquatic center, ball fields, fishing lakes and walking trails. The department is responsible for programs and services to improve the quality of life for all.
LEARN MORE BELOW
Take a look at the items below to learn more about what we do!
Outdoor Activities & Parks
Learn More about the beautiful parks and trails in Jessamine County.
Sports and Recreation
There are many opportunities to participate in sports and recreational activities right here in Jessamine County!
Upcoming 5k Races
Watch for new race info soon!
FAQ
NJCPR Community Recreation Center FAQ’s
1. Project overview (Brief description, purpose and goals, partners involved).
The City of Nicholasville, Jessamine County Fiscal Court, and Nicholasville-Jessamine County Parks & Recreation have long recognized the need for a community recreation center for all ages. The goal is to create a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility that will serve as a hub for recreational activities and events for our community while attracting visitors from across the state.
In late 2021 and early 2022, the City began exploring the development of a community recreation center using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. While determining how to allocate these funds, the board designated $4 million for the project. Discussions with the Fiscal Court followed, and the county also expressed interest in pursuing the center.
In early 2023, representatives from the City of Nicholasville, Jessamine County, and Parks staff visited several community centers in Bowling Green, Warren County, and Georgetown to gather ideas. Following these visits, the City of Nicholasville hired an architect to develop a concept for the Nicholasville-Jessamine County Community Recreation Center. The initial design included gymnasiums, an elevated walking track, community event rooms, and an indoor aquatics facility featuring a lap pool and a children’s entertainment pool like Riney B Aquatics.
Designed for year-round use, the facility will accommodate basketball, volleyball, archery, pickleball, walking groups, and more. It will provide significant benefits, starting with improved health and fitness opportunities for Nicholasville and Jessamine County residents. Additionally, it will serve as a vital resource for local youth sports programs, addressing the growing need for gym space. Economically, the facility has the potential to host various events that could generate revenue and boost local businesses.
After obtaining cost estimates, the total project—including aquatics—was projected to cost between $18 million and $22 million. Given this estimate, officials decided to develop the center in phases, with Phase 1 focusing on gymnasiums, a walking track, and community event rooms.
2. Project's timeline and key milestones from the beginning.
The vision for this project began in 2006 when the Jessamine County Fiscal Court (JCFC) purchased 40 acres for the Jessamine Youth Soccer Association (JYSA). The original plan was to develop a multi-use park featuring soccer fields, football facilities, basketball courts, a walking trail, and a bicycle path. State funding helped construct John Preece Drive, providing access between East Jessamine Middle School, Red Oak Elementary, and East Jessamine High School.
By 2008, youth soccer leagues began using the newly built fields, officially establishing JYSA’s home. Around the same time, the Kentucky Chapter of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) envisioned John Preece Park as the site for a Hall of Fame and stadium, but the project never materialized. Years later, the City of Nicholasville revived the vision when a representative from the New Orleans Saints offered a turf field for the site. The City of Nicholasville invested over $2 million to develop a multi-purpose field for football, soccer, and youth baseball/softball, complete with scoreboards and LED lighting.
A nearby parcel was initially designated for a recreation center but was later found to be a protected wetland. JCFC then seized an opportunity to purchase 110 acres of land connecting the newly constructed bypass to John Preece Drive. Using $3.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, this acquisition provided Nicholasville-Jessamine County Parks & Recreation (NJCPR) with a blank canvas for future park development.
The recreation center project formally began in 2022, with the City allocating $4 million in ARPA funds. By mid-2022, team members toured various recreation facilities, and by late 2022, an architect was hired to develop renderings. Initially, John Preece Park was selected as the site behind the new turf field. However, in early 2024, an engineering evaluation revealed federal regulations and environmental concerns, requiring a new location.
By mid-2024, the county secured additional land at John Preece Park, identifying a new site east of the turf field with access from the bypass. Late in 2024, the county finalized the land purchase, and in early 2025, an engineering firm was engaged to evaluate the new site, along with an RFQ process for a construction manager.
3. Funding Information (sources of funding, approximate cost of the project).
Initially, funding was expected from ARPA allocations by the City of Nicholasville and Jessamine County Fiscal Court (JCFC) with potential community contributions. In 2023, the City launched a campaign to engage local businesses and gauge interest in financial support for the project. While other communities had successfully secured private donations, efforts to obtain corporate contributions proved unsuccessful. As a result, the City and County determined they would need to generate revenue to fund the project independently. To ensure the project continues, all funds needed for the Community Recreation Center will be financed through the general funds of both entities.
4. Location details (including accessibility and transportation options).
The John Preece location was chosen due to its proximity to the turf field, central location in Nicholasville, and easy access via the newly constructed bypass. This ensures accessibility for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Additionally, the area is identified as having income constraints, making it a potential candidate for grant funding.
5. Design and Features (Visual renderings/maps), design considerations (eco-friendly, safety measures, etc.).
Renderings were paid for and released by the City of Nicholasville. The facility design creates a start-of-the-art multi-sport gym facility that will allow for minimum downtime in switching between sports (basketball, volleyball, pickleball, batting cages, etc.)
6. Ongoing updates (pics of phases of the project, how updates will be provided (newsletters, website, social media, etc.).
To date, community updates have been through the City of Nicholasville’s release of intended ARPA fund uses and official discussions in various forums. During construction, Nicholasville-Jessamine County Parks and Recreation will post updates on social media and their website.
7. Involvement Opportunities (volunteer roles, hiring, etc.)
TBD
8. Contact information (contact for questions and concerns).
For more information:
Doug Blackford, City Manager
[email protected]
Office: 859-885-1121
Justin Ray, Deputy Judge Executive
[email protected]
Office: 859-885-4500
Anessa Snowden, Director NJCPR
[email protected]
Office: 859-885-9787
