2ND SUNDAY OFFICIALS AND BLUE GRASS AIRPORT ANNOUNCE EXCITING PARTNERSHIP
Airport to Host Community Event on Newly Constructed Runway

May 13, 2010 – Today officials from Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, 2nd Sunday and Blue Grass Airport announced a partnership to host a community fitness event on the new runway currently under construction at Blue Grass Airport. On June 13, 2010, from 2-5 pm, the general public will be invited onto the runway for the first time in Blue Grass Airport’s history for a unique opportunity to walk, run, bike, skate and stay active.

This event will provide members of the local community with 4,000 feet of flat, smooth surface to be active with friends, family and neighbors prior to the runway’s opening. Attendees are invited to bring their bikes, rollerblades, Frisbees and sporting equipment. For those who are seeking a more relaxing afternoon, bring picnic supplies and watch airplanes landing and taking off on the adjacent runway.

“On the second Sunday of June, Lexington will do something revolutionary.  It will open Blue Grass Airport’s runway for what may potentially be a once-in-a-lifetime fitness opportunity,” said Councilmember Jay McChord. “Communities like Lexington have begun looking for new and more frequent opportunities to use existing infrastructure throughout the year to promote healthy and active lifestyles.”

For the past two years, the 2nd Sunday Initiative has coordinated one annual day where Kentucky communities join together to be physically active. Lexington has expanded its participation to now include 2nd Sunday police-escorted bicycle rides every month.

“With the trails we have already opened, our plans to open several new trails and creative projects such as this 2nd Sunday event, Lexington is quickly becoming a very popular destination for cyclists,” said Mayor Jim Newberry. “We have been working hard, as have the members of our cycling community, to make Lexington the most bike friendly city in Kentucky, and we are making exciting progress.”

In addition to fitness activities, attendees will have the rare opportunity to watch commercial and private airplanes taking off and landing on the nearby commercial runway. A variety of aircraft and safety vehicles such as helicopters, fire engines and historic airplanes will also be on display for families to explore.

“We are proud to be the host of a community event that will not only promote health and wellness but also showcases the construction of our new runway,” said Eric Frankl, executive director of Blue Grass Airport. “We are excited about the opportunity to open our operation to the public so they can experience the airport from a new perspective. Most people are never given the chance to walk on a runway or see an airfield environment.”

Plans are underway to formally open the new runway to general aviation traffic this summer. Construction of this $27 million, 4000-foot runway has employed more than 150 people and is one component of more than $60 million worth of airport improvement projects Blue Grass Airport has undertaken this year.

“The Cooperative Extension Service is all about local partnerships, and the June 13th 2nd Sunday event is a fine example of how this initiative is bringing communities together to address common goals, in this case health and physical activity,” said Dr. Scott Smith, Dean of UK College of Agriculture.

To access the event, convenient parking will be available onsite adjacent to the runway. Vehicles should enter by the airport’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Training Center on Versailles Road, just west of Keeneland Race Course. Signage will be located on Versailles Road and police will be directing traffic to parking locations. Overflow parking will be available off-site if needed and shuttle service will be provided.

Blue Grass Airport’s commercial and general aviation flights will continue as usual throughout the event. There will be no interruption to the flight schedule since airplanes will be taking off on the airport’s primary 7,000-foot runway.

About 2nd Sunday
2nd Sunday offers monthly events in Lexington and annual events statewide that encourages all forms of physical activity within the local community and is designed to get Kentuckians moving. Residents can bike, walk, run, plan and participate in fun and healthy activities. Organized by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and community partners, 2nd Sunday sends a compelling message that Kentucky is serious about improving its residents’ health and promoting physical activity.

About Blue Grass Airport
Blue Grass Airport, the Official Airport of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, is served by seven major airlines providing convenient non-stop service to 13 major hub cities and connecting service to hundreds of destinations worldwide.

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