User:Amber.janae/sandbox/Shillito Park Lexington, KY

Description
Shillito Park is a park in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located on the south side, inside New Circle. It is near many residential areas, an apartment complex, is fairly close to downtown, and is adjacent to one of the largest shopping corridors of the city, Fayette Mall. It is separated from the mall area by railroad tracks, and this provides a quieter setting for the park. It is a mid-sized park in Lexington, and is one of the largest on the south side of town.

Wildlife
Common wildlife in the Central Kentucky area, that are included within Shillito park, are raccoons, the Grey and Red Fox, coyotes, opossums, the Fallow and White Tailed Deer, rabbit, the Eastern Grey, Fox, and Southern Flying Squirrels, groundhogs, and the Eastern Spotted Skunk.

Plant Life
Many trees that are native to the Bluegrass region of central Kentucky are found here. Characteristic trees include black maple, bitternut hickory, Ohio buckeye, Kentucky coffee tree, hackberry, black walnut, ashes (blue, white, green), and oaks (chinquapin, bur, shumard, northern red, etc.). These trees can be found scattered throughout the park in many outcroppings.

Animal Life
Common wildlife in the Central Kentucky area, that are included within Shillito park, are raccoons, the Grey and Red Fox, coyotes, opossums, the Fallow and White Tailed Deer, rabbit, the Eastern Grey, Fox, and Southern Flying Squirrel, groundhogs, and the Eastern Spotted Skunk.

Walking Trails
The Shillito Park/Lafayette walking trail is a shared use trail loop. The part of the trail inside of Shillito Park is 1.5 miles long, while the connecting parts of the Lafayette trail are an additional 1.0 miles for a trail length of 2.5 miles. It is a shared use trail, meaning it is paved and designed for activities such as running and walking, as well as higher speed activities like bicycling and skating. It is 10-12 feet wide, and goes the entire circumference of the park with trail entrances at all park entrances. The trail goes through meadowed areas, as well as under trees in shadier sections of the park. It also runs parallel to the railroad tracks adjacent to Fayette Mall.

The trail was constructed under mayor Jim Gray, and began construction in 2008. The trail was completed in 2009, and the project cost $2 million. The trail has seen high use by park users and those that live in the area.

Sports
Athletic activities offered at Shillito Park include tennis, swimming and diving, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, walking/running, biking, skating, disc golf, and baseball/softball.

Attractions
Shillito Park has many different facilities available for use. It hosts six shelter structures available for rental/reservation, a swimming pool, an 18 hole disc golf course, eight baseball fields, several tennis and basketball courts, open fields for soccer, lacrosse and other activities, and a large playground with parking lots accessible to all areas. Shillito Park does not have a dog park because there is a large one located at nearby Wellington Park.