Newsletter Spring 2025
Letter from the President
Neighbors,
The APNA Board continues to work to build connections throughout Ashland Park.
- We have welcomed new neighbors in the past several months, delivering our welcome baskets filled with information about the neighborhood mixed with a mixture of Kentucky products. If you know of a neighbor moving in, let us know! Contact Hope Cottrill.
- We are looking forward to our summer party on June 22. Watch for an invitation and come share the summer evening with your neighbors.
- In the past several years, we created a number of small brochures highlighting special aspects of our neighborhood such as our varied architecture, our outstanding trees and canopy, the varying shutter designs on our houses, and the historic walk in our neighborhood, stretching all the way to Ashland, funded by a generous grant from a neighbor's family foundation. Over the next few months, we will update these materials and plan new adventures.
- At the end of this newsletter, there are contact points for the current officers and board members. Call, visit, or email with questions, suggestions, and concerns.
Stay safe and neighborly! As the cold, snowy winter we just experienced highlighted, we need to continue to be aware of our neighbors and watch for ways to be helpful. Let’s keep an eye out and stay connected to see if one of our friends may need help.
As Past President Mark Streety reminded us several years ago: Go outside and select either your left or right-side neighbor. Check in with them. See if they're still ok or need anything. It will mean a lot to them, and to all of us. If you have extra time left over, check on the other side too. If you learn something that needs more help, every Board member can be contacted on our website.
Still more time left? Pay your APNA dues, consider a donation, or join an APNA Committee. And count your many blessings.
Thanks for being here,
Andrew Smith, President
859-221-0194
Andrew.R.Smith@Steptoe-Johnson.com
The Ashland Park Holiday Tree: A Beacon of Community Cheer
By Brian Burch
At the corner of Desha Road and Slashes Road stands a local landmark that’s quickly become a beloved tradition in Ashland Park: a towering 75-foot evergreen lit up with 7,500 programmable LED lights. Known affectionately by neighbors as The Ashland Park Holiday Tree, it’s more than just festive décor—it’s a symbol of community spirit, creativity, and a little Wildcat pride.
When we moved into our home six years ago, I couldn’t help but notice how perfect the tree’s shape and position were. It practically begged to be decorated. After some dreaming and a lot of effort, that vision became reality. The installation is no small feat—it took 80 hours, one very dedicated installer, an 80-foot crane, and a 40-foot lift. Naturally, there were challenges. One string of lights failed after being installed at the very top—of course—so we had to rent the crane again for a second trip up.
The tree changes with the seasons and the celebrations. I love matching the lights to holidays or even getting creative with color combos based on whatever sports team I’m rooting for. But above all, this tree bleeds blue. For University of Kentucky Football and Men’s Basketball games, expect to see a variety of Wildcat Blue patterns lighting up the night.
Looking ahead, we’re hoping to share the fun. Soon, you’ll be able to sponsor a night of lights by donating to the Ashland Park Neighborhood Association (APNA). Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or big game win by choosing your own colors or patterns. Interested? Reach out to me via Instagram to reserve your dates!
And if you’ve got a tree that’s begging to be decorated, I’m happy to help you get started—just send me a message.
Save the Date!
APNA Cocktail Party
June 22nd from 5-8 pm, 977 Fincastle Road
Hosted by Graham Pohl and Jane Fields
APNA Annual Family Picnic
September 28th from 4-7 pm
Harvey Park
Upcoming Locations
Are You Tired of the Noisy Vehicles on Richmond Road?
I’m Bonnie Adkisson. I live at 1000 Richmond Road on the corner of Desha Road.
I’ve been working on the NOISE problem by meeting with council members, Mayor Gorton, police commissioner, chief of police office, and police officers. I’ve been at this for 2 ½ years now.
You can help abate noise and speeding by doing three things:
1. Keep calling the non-emergency number 859-258-3600 to report loud and/ or speeding vehicles. Complaints are logged and tallied by the police. It really only takes a couple of minutes to call.
2. Sign into “ Engage Lexington”. This is a powerful Task Force made up of all the City Council Members, their aides, and city department heads. Once you sign in, you can write your own comment and/or comments on other people’s contributions. These comments are being tallied and will become the goals for the direction of Lexington. I have attended the StrEEEt meeting where the comments on Engage Lexington Bulletin Board are taken quite seriously. You will see my posting about noise under Enforcement. I hope you can take the time to sign in and comment. We can make a real difference.
3. Contact me, Bonnie Adkisson, at bonnieadkisson@gmail.com. Call or text me at 859-333-9330.
If you would like to be added to my NOISE database where I email folks in the neighborhood and report what I’ve been working on.
March Event Recap
Our best-attended event yet! More than 60 neighbors, including individuals and couples, joined us at our March gathering for a festive evening filled with good company and Irish cheer. A heartfelt thank you to Mike Elder and Jennifer Taylor for graciously opening their beautiful home to host the celebration. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Spotlight on the Hemlock Trees
Have you noticed the towering hemlocks lining the medians on South Hanover near the Slashes and the Fincastle roundabouts? These stunning trees were planted in the 1990s as part of a median plan originally designed by Jim Evans. Since then, they’ve grown into a signature feature of our neighborhood. Their impressive scale and graceful presence are a living reminder of the care and vision that shaped this community.
Reminders
Help us protect what makes our neighborhood special. If you see anything concerning in the neighborhood, please speak up. See something, say something. For non-emergencies, contact the Lexington Police Department at 859.258.3600.Dues are $35 per household and are collected yearly in September. If you have not yet paid your dues, you can mail a check to APNA, PO Box 22562, Lexington, KY 40502.
APNA Officers & Board Members
Andrew Smith (President)
Hope Cottrill (Vice President)
Wanda Jaquith (Treasurer)
Brian Burch (Secretary)
Deena Archey
Leslie Dodd
Sheila Evans
Roger Grey
Georgann Hobbs
Liz Jones
Jill Marion
Sara Smith
Emily Whitley
