District 11
Meet Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds
Eleventh District Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds is a local girl, having grown up in Central Kentucky. Before attending college and studying anthropology and Spanish, she was a professional ballet dancer.
Upon graduating college she moved to Mexico for four years of post-grad work in community outreach. Once Reynolds completed her work, she returned to Lexington in the Cardinal Valley area and started a bilingual ballet outreach program in her district.
Reynolds was elected to the 11th District’s Urban County Council in November 2018. Raised in Central Kentucky, she was formerly the outreach director with Bluegrass Youth Ballet.
Councilmember Reynolds is a working mom with over ten years of experience in fundraising, non-profit work, and community outreach. She, her husband, and her 5 year old son love being active in the community. “We have a wide variety of cultures and languages represented with several very good local businesses, stores, and restaurants. We have a wonderful library and many parks that serve our residents well.”
Versailles Road and Harrodsburg/South Broadway Road are two of Lexington’s major spokes within the city’s loops of New Circle Road and Man o’ War.
The 11th District is home to one of Lexington’s most diverse cultural communities. The district supports the University of Kentucky with off campus housing options. Alexandria Drive, Lane Allen, and Southland Drive serve their surrounding neighborhoods commercially and connect the district north and south. Among these corridors and roads is a wide variety of delicious restaurants.
“I love being on council and working with people every day to make a difference in the community.”
A place you can catch Councilmember Reynolds with family or friends — “el Rey de los Pollos or Taquería Ramirez.” She loves supporting not only her local businesses, but her constituents.
Bordered by both Versailles Road and Broadway, the district’s major arteries lead to critical community assets like Keeneland and the Bluegrass Airport.
With so many large attractions just a stone’s throw away from the 11th District and her neighborhood, Reynolds is most excited about the possibility to be more inclusive of all residents in activities and associations. “The Greater Gardenside Association put together a wonderful event called Gardenside at Sunset in the middle of the district in August 2019. It was a huge success of music, dancing, and vendors. The district came together and enjoyed themselves.”
Even though being a Councilmember for the city of Lexington is a serious job, there can be lighthearted moments that come with it. Reynolds laughs, “One time someone said that it was nice to see a teenager involved in politics.” She clarifies that, despite her youthful appearance, “I am 36 and have a lot of life experience under my belt.”
Four elementary schools and one high school are located within the 11th District. Two of LexTran’s most popular bus routes run along Versailles Road and Red Mile Road. The Village Branch Library is located in the 11th District and eight parks, six of which touch the Wolf Run Watershed.
To stay up-to-date about what is happening in the 11th District, Reynolds recommends that you sign up for her newsletter and get info every two weeks about local events and what is happening: jreynolds@lexingtonky.gov.
She believes it is important that people be involved in their neighborhoods and neighborhood associations.
You can also follow her on Facebook at Lexingtons 11th.
District projects include
- Accessible Intersections along Harrodsburg Road
- Clays Mill Road Project
- Southland Drive Sidewalks
- Upgrades to District Parks
- Versailles Road Corridor Study
New and Improved Valley Park
At the end of 2019, Mayor Linda Gorton and District 11 Councilmember, Jennifer Reynolds, along with Parks and Recreation cut a ribbon to officially open the updated playground that features several types of swings and a climbing net on a merry-go-round. It’s the first one in Lexington that spins while you climb.
Parks and Recreation built concrete benches in the center of the playground while the Cardinal Valley Activity Board commissioned local artists, Michelle Armstrong and Deborah Eller, to design and install tile mosaics on the benches. Michelle and Deborah teach art within the Fayette County Public School system. The mosaics highlight favorite park activities such as dancing, dreaming, exploring, and playing. Each bench also has two permanent checker boards.
With the combination of the bright play equipment, the cheerful mosaic tile benches, and the colorful fence pickets, Valley Park has become one of the most vibrant playgrounds in Lexington.
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11th District: email jreynolds@lexingtonky.gov
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: @Lexingtons11th
This article appears on page 6 & 7 of the 2020 annual print edition of Beaumont Guide.
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