Donor Gathering at Kelley's Landing Highlights the Site's History and Future

The Kelley’s Landing Fundraising Taskforce hosted its inaugural supporter kickoff event at the park, bringing together early supporters, partners, and community members to experience the site and the river firsthand and get a closer look at the work taking shape for its future. It was a day that set the tone for what this effort is all about.

The event included live music and the chance for attendees to get out on the water by kayak and stand-up paddleboard, taking in the Kentucky River Palisades and Boone Creek from the river itself. Getting on the water gave many guests a new perspective on the landscape and a deeper appreciation for the natural setting that makes Kelley’s Landing so distinctive.

Throughout the event, guests had the opportunity to connect with members of the Fundraising Taskforce, hear about how the project is progressing, and learn more about what it will take to bring together the public and private support needed for the site’s next phases. Conceptual images and the completed master plan were on display, giving folks a closer look at the long-term vision and all that lies ahead for the park.

Remarks from the park design team and Fundraising Taskforce bookended the program, with one of the standout moments being a history of the site shared by Burgess Carey. He walked guests through Kelley’s Landing’s existence in a rare natural eddy along the Kentucky River, a feature that made it a hub for early settlement and river travel throughout the Inner Bluegrass. Known historically as Cleveland’s Landing, the site was closely tied to Clay’s Ferry and served as an important link between Lexington and the surrounding agricultural communities. Burgess also noted that the Kentucky River Palisades and the region’s limestone geology gave rise to fertile land, deep agricultural traditions, and an equine heritage that still defines Central Kentucky today.

Events like this help bring people closer to the vision for Kelley’s Landing and the community effort behind it. As the project moves forward, the goal is to expand access to the Kentucky River, connect people more deeply with the region’s history, and build a place that future generations can continue to shape and enjoy.