"Moving Dirt" is a phrase used by natural resource managers that denotes a real-world, on-the-ground project that is actually implementing a management practice or pollution control measure. Friends of Wolf Run is working with a number of parties to "Move Dirt" to fix the creek. Here are a few going on in the watershed.





Gardenside Spring Restoration Project

Gardenside spring is within Gardenside Park. The restoration process began by clearing out invasive exotic weeds, predominately Bush Honeysuckle, Wintercreeper, Garlic Mustard and Privet. Approximately 812.5 ft² was cleared on the floodplain (towards the southeast) with an additional 625 ft² cleared on the adjacent slope (towards the northwest). Altogether, nearly 1,438 ft² of invasive species was cleared around the spring. Bush Honeysuckle stumps greater than ¾” were treated with an application of glyphosate.

Once the landscape was opened up, the volunteers were able to start installing plants indigenous to Central Kentucky and could have been likely found along the site.

Link to project plan by Russ Turpin (PDF)



Allendale Greenway, Moberly Spring Restoration
A perennial spring on the Allendale Greenway has been identified for restoration as part of the Trail of Springs project funded by Kentucky American water Company. Botanists Will Overbeck and Julian Campbell have developed the planting plan which includes removal of invasive plants, installation of flowering aquatic plants and trash removal on the site.

Link to Restoration Plan Schematic (PowerPoint file)



Litter and Debris Cleanup Campaigns (Valley Park, pictured)
Friends of Wolf Run in cooperation with the Cardinal Valley Neighborhood Association, Bluegrass Pride, LFUCG Parks, and Recreation, Kentucky Waterways Alliance and LFUCG Division of Parks make for a formidable foe against refuse and debris found in the creek. Teams such as this along with logistical support from LFUCG can make a significant dent in the amount of trash in a stream. This group found household items, construction/demolition debris car parts, litter and children's toys. The general rule for the clean up was: If it will rust or rot or made of rock, leave it be, if it is painted, plastic or has metal parts, pick it up. (We filled a dumptruck cleaning about 500 meters of stream) More details on cleanup events:



Preston Spring Restoration and Cleanup

Sponsored by the Lexington Environmental Council with assistance from LFUCG Division of Parks and Streets, Roads and Forestry, the Preston Spring Cleanup is organized by Roberta Burns and her husband John Walker. The group has a vision of revitalizing the springs, creating walking trails through the Valley.

Preston Springs is a unique area for lexington. It is a continuation of the sinking creek that includes McConnell Springs. It is one of the few remaining stream reaches in urban lexington that is still in its natural meandering pattern.


(Click on image for close up)

The spring can be accessed through a lot next to Puerta Del Cielo Assembly of God Church at 1935 Dunkirk Dr. The spring and creek runs into Wolf Run below Cardinal Valley Park. The entire valley is public property under the management of LFUCG Division of Parks. LFUCG Parks has developed a long range plan for the property, but for now it remains a wild stream valley right in the middle of residential/industrial lexington.


Eastway Wetland Project
City planners management to protect a small wetland area from recent development at the end of Eastway Road and Sunseeker Court. The Friends of Wolf Run and Hill and Dale Neighborhood Association are working to develop a management plan for the property. The groups formed a joint advisory task force, (Pictured above right) including representatives from LFUCG Water and Air Quality, LFUCG Planning, Eco-Tech Constulants, Bluegrass Community and Technical College Environmental Science and Technology program, and Advanced Mulching Technologies, chaired by adjacent landowner Tom Martin. The advisory group is developing management options and a budget for the parcel. The group is exploring having the land deeded to the Friends of Wolf Run Inc. or a similar entity to maintain a conservation easement in-prepituity. Here is a link to notes on the project.


Click on image for closeup of mapWolf Run Conservation Greenway

Under the direction of the LFUCG Greenways Committee plans for a Wolf Run Conservation Greenway are articulated in the city's Greenway Master Plan.

"This Conservation Greenway includes Wolf Run and its tributaries, including Vaughn's Branch. It is located in the west-central portion of the County, and is almost all urban. The 100-year floodplain throughout Wolf Run and Vaughn's Branch has been severely encroached upon by development. LFUCG recently purchased and demolished numerous homes along Wolf Run, effectively reclaiming a portion of the floodplain. This buy-out program occurred along Roanoke Road and Furlong Drive (Skycrest Area), and represents a successful example of greenway and floodplain reclamation as a cost-effective solution to stormwater problems. The LFUCG also purchased four properties on Lane Allen Road to prevent development of an area known to have a flooding problem. With these properties (totaling 17+ acres), plus park and school properties along the stream, there has been good progress towards acquisition along the Corridor.

In the long term, continuous connections within the floodplain should be acquired to provide continuity in stormwater management and habitat. To extend the Corridor to Lane Allen Road, it is recommended that the LFUCG purchase the undeveloped floodplain upstream of the Furlong property. It is further recommended that the LFUCG place a priority on developing this Corridor as a pilot project to demonstrate the success of proper floodplain management and a multi-functional greenway system.


Buy-outs of homes having a history of flooding are also occurring in the Kilrush and Deauville areas. As buy-outs proceed, the greenways along these sections can be further enhanced. The LFUCG should also prioritize the preservation of floodplains between Old Frankfort Pike and Alexandria Drive where development is rapidly occurring. The opportunity still exists to preserve the undeveloped floodplain upstream of Versailles Road. Park properties adjacent to the Greenway include Valley Park, Wolf Run, Cross Keys, Pine Meadows, Preston Springs and Picadome Golf Course. James Lane Allen Elementary School is also located on Wolf Run.
Corridor Objectives:

Objectives for this Conservation Greenway Corridor include floodplain reclamation and flood reduction. In areas of ongoing urban development, preservation of floodplains and habitat is the issue. The Conservation Greenway also seeks to improve water quality and provide open space."

Needless to say, the Friends of Wolf Run considers this plan the way forward for the watershed, and, even though we often give planning staff fits over their intention to pave portions of the greenway for a trail system, (We hate impervious surfaces) we stand firmly behind their efforts to acquire funding for this visionary plan.


Tree Planting Project: Lafayette Parkway, Southbend Drive and Clay's Mill Greenway
In order to shade the creek, help control runoff and filter pollutants, Friends of Wolf Run is working with the LFUCG Division of Streets, Roads and Forests, Wilson's Nursery, Picadome Neighborhood Association and a committee of area residents on a tree planting campaign along a channelized section of the stream.
  • Download PDF Flyer
  • Planting Plan Document (WORD)
  • Link to information on other stream restoration projects in the region


    Dedicated to improving the aquatic habitat and water quality
    of our neighborhood watershed.
    Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky

    or more information, contact
    Friends of Wolf Run
    859-276-1253
    Friend@WolfRunWater.org