Lexington is getting a new park. Here’s when it’ll open to the public
A new park set to open in Lexington, along the road to Lake Murray, has circled an opening date.
Wingard Park, complete with a fenced-in playground and picnic shelter, will open to the public Sept. 5, the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission said in a press release. The park is nestled on a 14-acre spot of land at the intersection of Old Chapin and Old Cherokee Roads.
The park is named after Willie Wingard, whose family donated the land to the commission to be used for the park in 2020. Wingard wanted the land to be used for what the commission called a “passive park,” meaning that the park will have space for playing and enjoying the outdoors without the construction of sporting fields or gymnasiums.
“We are excited to open this beautiful new space free of charge to Lexington County residents,” Randy Gibson, the commission’s executive director, said in the release. “Wingard Park represents not only a place to play and relax, but also a lasting tribute to Ms. Wingard’s generosity and commitment to our community.”
The park was constructed by Pyramid Contracting, who shared that construction for the park had started earlier in the summer. The land that holds the park was initially just outside the town of Lexington’s limits, but the town’s council voted Aug. 4 to annex the property into town.
“This park sits directly next to my neighborhood ... and my neighborhood is so excited about this park. I just want to say thank you to the Wingard family,” Town Councilman Gavin Smith said during that meeting.
