McConnell Springs

McConnell Springs is a fantastic nature center and trail located in Lexington. It is located at 416 Rebmann Lane, off of Old Frankfort Pike. It is open dawn to dusk, but the Education Center is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Their website is located here. They have a large parking lot and lots of picnic tables under a pavilion right when you walk in. They also have a water fountain there. There are also other picnic tables near the stone steps down the main path. The park has many benches throughout the path for taking a break and eating snack. There are restrooms inside the Education Center and there is also a water fountain inside.

The first place we usually stop is the Education Center. My son loves to look at and touch the different items on the tables when you walk in. They usually have things that you can look at under a microscope, like small bugs and items found throughout the park. There is also a box that the kids can put their hands in and feel the item in there and then pull it out and see what it is. They have rocks, a squirrel tail, pine cones, and other neat items to touch. Further inside the nature center they have a few animals in tanks that my son loves to check out. They have three turtles (the two larger ones are usually outside in the pond when the weather is nice), a snake and fish. They also have stuffed owls to look at, a window for looking at birds and squirrels outside and a really nice kid area with animal puppets, pieces of wood for stacking and other neat items.

When you head outside, if you go to the right after the tables, there is a log house your kids can play in and explore. If you go down the trail, there is a large moon shaped walkway by the pond. My son has always loved walking on there and seeing the turtles and the bugs in the water. Then, if you continue on the main trail, you will get to the springs areas. There is a boardwalk (see below) with the Blue Hole. My son absolutely loves running along this boardwalk and throwing sticks he finds off it.

Next is the bubbling Boils, which you can walk down and get closer to, and see the bubbles coming up. It was really low when we were here recently, but it is super neat after we have a lot of rain. Lastly, is the Final Sink. This area is super pretty, but a bit steep, so if you have a runner child, you might want to skip this. This whole main area is paved, so you can totally take a stroller with you.

If you continue on the main paved path, you will get to a bunch of large tree logs that the kids can play on. My son loves to climb up these and jump off.

If you go up the mulched path, there is another trail that loops around and leads you past the Burr Oak tree. It is a pretty path and also very easy for a toddler to walk. This path will take you back to paved path if you follow it around.

Overall, we love going here when my son needs to burn off some energy and I cannot take running after him. He explores at his own pace and I love seeing him enjoy time outside. It is very shady, so a good choice on those really hot days too. Plus, with it being free, it is a great choice when you just cannot figure out how to spend a day but don't want to spend a lot of money. It is a good sized walk, just long enough that my son can walk it, but may need a carry at the end. It is oddly very close to a bunch of industrial businesses, so you will hear the construction noises here and there. So, get out there and enjoy this awesome local nature park!