Prominent owner/breeder Susan Moulton has made a $2-million donation to Town Branch Park in Lexington which will be used to fund the construction of a water play area named in honor of Moulton's son Will Naylor Smith, who passed away 16 years ago at the age of eight.
Moulton, who for the last five years has been splitting her time between San Antonio, Texas, and her Versailles farm, has expressed an interest in becoming more involved in the community–especially with children.
Town Branch Park is helping to transform acres of space behind Lexington's Rupp Arena previously used for parking into green space. The project is being funded, programmed and maintained by private donations and grants.
“I love the location of the park,” said Moulton, who bred and races last year's GII Castle Key Bourbon S. winner Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance). “Families and visitors will have access to a big park in the heart of Lexington. I was attracted to the water feature because Will loved water and the outdoors. You don't ever get over the loss of a child, but you get through it by carrying them along with you.
“I believe that water heals. I hope people will go there and feel a sense of relaxation and release. Children will be able to play and learn as they play.”
“This is truly a transformational gift,” said Allison Lankford, executive director of Town Branch Park. “The water play area will be one of the most treasured and active assets of the park.
I can hardly wait to see children of all ages and abilities playing in this fun, safe and inclusive environment.”
The area also will include a bronze sculpture of Will by artist Christine Turnbull. The sculpture is based on a photo of Will and will be a replica of a sculpture at the DoSeum Museum
in San Antonio and the Imua Discovery Gardens in Hawaii.
Construction on the park is set to begin this summer.
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