The Town of Lexington hopes to be done with efforts to double the size of a longstanding downtown park by the spring.

Virginia Hylton Park, which is growing by 8.25 acres to span more than 14.25, is gaining amenities including an all-inclusive playground, an area specifically for teens, a splash pad to cool off in and an amphitheater.

The cost, previously reported to be $7 million, is now $8 million. The park was orginally set to be done in September. 

“It kind of is very humbling to see it all come together and to know it's gonna be there for years to come, for my grandchildren and every every citizen's children and grandchildren to enjoy,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Hazel Livingston. “I'm just humbled that the work that's gone into it and time and for it to be able to double in size and be a place to treasure for years.”

Livingston headed the committee that shaped the park expansion and has been pointed to by many town officials as key to making the project happen throughout the process.

A post on the town’s Facebook page noted that many members of the community are concerned about the amount of shade available in the park as trees are being removed. While the town has not considered putting up shade sails, Livingston told the Chronicle that there will be plenty of shade in the park and that a majority of the trees removed were unhealthy or would interfere with the public's safety.

“A lot of the trees that were taken out there were diseased pine trees and they were preventing the hardwoods from getting sun so they could thrive and grow,” she said, “and there's a lot of hardwoods that are on the edge of the playground that will grow up now and be very much great shade for there.”

She continued, saying that though the town removed about 140 trees, they are planting 160, and the completed park will have more than 1,000 trees.

Livingston added that the park’s old koi pond will be brought back as well.

The park’s inclusive playground was designed to accommodate children with special needs. According to Livingston the committee looked at all kinds of disabilities, mentioning that the park will include braille portions for those with sight problems, stimulation items for autistic children, and will be accessible to those with physical disabilities including those who require a wheelchair.

“We want to make sure that everybody has a place to go and enjoy the outdoors and that nurtures them,” she said.

The park's amenities aren’t only tailored to children. A special area has been designed for teenagers. Livingston said that this area will allow teens to still be close to their families while having their own designated space. She said that teenagers were included in the conversation of what to include in their area and one was a friendship swing, this swing allows for then one person to sit on it and can be used for socialization.

Other amenities include a smaller amphitheater to complement the town’s centerpiece downtown venue, the Icehouse Amphitheater. Livingston told the Chronicle she hopes they can have multiple events happening in the downtown area, utilizing both amphitheaters and the Lexington Square space adjoining the county Judicial Center.