SEN. AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE ON THE 

OPENING OF CARDINAL RUN PARK NORTH

Senator, Senate budget vice chair, and former Urban County Councilwoman celebrates culmination of efforts ahead of park’s grand opening

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2025) — Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, issued the following statement on Thursday in recognition of the ribbon-cutting at Cardinal Run Park North in Lexington, a transformative project she helped fund with $10 million in COVID-relief investments during her service on the Urban County Council. The park is Lexington’s first new regional park in more than 25 years. It will provide expanded recreational opportunities for families across the city. A family-friendly grand opening will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. 

“Cardinal Run Park North represents years of planning, collaboration, and investment to create a lasting space for Lexington families. During my time on the Urban County Council, I was proud to help dedicate more than $10 million in COVID-19 relief funding toward this project, a community investment of one-time dollars that will benefit generations to come.

While I regret not being able to attend today’s ceremony due to my legislative responsibilities, I’m incredibly proud of the work that brought this park to life. This is one of Lexington’s crown jewels and one of the most transformative accomplishments achieved by the city in this area during my time on the council. It’s a vibrant example of how strategic investment in public spaces strengthens neighborhoods, supports families, and enhances our city’s quality of life.”

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BACKGROUND

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 delivered over $121 million in federal funding to the City of Lexington to aid in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2021, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, led in part by then-Councilwoman Amanda Mays Bledsoe, agreed to allocate portions of the city’s ARPA funds toward community priorities, including homelessness, housing, and park improvements. Among those allocations was $10 million dedicated to the construction of Cardinal Run Park North, located off Parkers Mill Road. In May 2022, the Council unanimously approved a design services agreement, formally initiating the development of the park. The city broke ground on the project in October 2023. 

The park had long been part of Lexington’s master parks plan, but lacked funding until the infusion of one-time federal relief dollars. The project was advanced as part of a broader $30 million package for citywide parks improvements, which also included investments in community centers and playgrounds.

At the time, Councilwoman Bledsoe described the park funding as a significant step toward expanding recreational access and improving the quality of life for Lexington families, which was an investment made possible through collaboration among council members and community partners.

Cardinal Run Park North now opens as Lexington’s first major regional park in over two decades, featuring new trails, athletic fields, and family amenities envisioned to serve residents across the city.

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Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, represents the 12th Senate District, which includes Boyle, Mercer, and Woodford Counties and part of Fayette County. She is vice chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue and Families and Children Committees. She is co-chair of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity. 

During the interim, Bledsoe serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Families and Children; Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations; Local Government; and State Government. As Senate budget vice chair, she holds ex officio roles on multiple budget review subcommittees. Additionally, she is a member of the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee.

Bledsoe co-chairs the AI Task Force, which was reestablished for the 2025 Interim. In 2024, Bledsoe co-chaired the task force, the work of which led to the passage of Senate Bill 4 during the 2025 Legislative Session. The measure established Kentucky’s first set of responsible guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in state agencies.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate112.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Bledsoe.