LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - After a decade of planning and two years of construction, Lexington will unveil its newest downtown attraction Saturday when Gatton Park officially opens to the public.

The park, built on the site of Rupp Arena’s former parking lot, represents the city’s first park-conservancy partnership and aims to serve as “Lexington’s new backyard,” according to Allison Lankford, CEO of Gatton Park and Conservancy.

“A lot of times we see renderings on projects and then the reality is sometimes less than,” Lankford said. “I think what’s so amazing about this project is even more beautiful than the renderings.”

While the park is expected to draw more people downtown, it’s also in the backyard of homes and businesses in what was Lexington’s first suburb settled in the early 1800

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