Dunbar Community Center: Hours, Programs, Rentals & Map

Dunbar Community Center Hours

The City’s website also displays a summer activity timetable with separate adult and youth periods. Check whether those seasonal hours still apply before planning a particular session.

Check the current City of Lexington schedule.

Gym, Fitness Rooms & Facility Amenities

No on-site swimming pool is listed among the center’s current facilities. Contact Lexington Parks & Recreation for separate aquatic-center options.

Adult Gym & Weight Room Schedule

The City publishes the following weekly activity periods. Confirm the current calendar before making a special trip.

Additional weekday activities include Community Coffee Hour from 8–11 AM and the Therapeutic Recreation fitness program from 10:30–11:30 AM.

Before an Open Gym Visit

1. Check the date and current gym calendar.
2. Confirm your age group’s permitted session.
3. Call the center if a league or event may occupy the court.
4. Ask whether a registration form, waiver or fee applies.
5. Wear appropriate athletic shoes and follow staff instructions.

Youth Programs, Esports & After-School Activities

During the City’s published summer program, youth activities run mainly from noon to 5 PM on weekdays.

Other center offerings include organized sports such as flag football, soccer, dodgeball, pickleball and volleyball, along with cooking classes, mentoring and fitness activities.

How to Join a Youth Program

1. Open the City’s Dunbar Community Center page.
2. Review the youth activity calendar and available registration details.
3. Check the participant’s age, activity times and any required adult supervision.
4. Call 859-288-2941 to confirm registration and fees.
5. Complete the required forms through Lexington Parks & Recreation.
6. Keep the activity confirmation and emergency-contact instructions.

Activities and seasonal schedules can change during school breaks, holidays and special events.

Upcoming Community Events

The official calendar included the following November 2026 activities:

RSVP contact: kcaudill@lexingtonky.gov.

These are published upcoming listings, not confirmation of remaining places or an event’s final status. Check with the organizer before traveling.

Community Center Rentals: Rooms, Gym & Events

Dunbar’s renovated three-story building has flexible event spaces, but the official facility page does not publish a complete current room-by-room price schedule or guaranteed private-rental capacity.

How to Request a Rental

1. Prepare your preferred date and alternate date.
2. Estimate attendance, including staff and event organizers.
3. Decide whether you need a gym, meeting room or another event space.
4. Call 859-288-2941 and ask which spaces are currently available for outside reservations.
5. Request the approved capacity, rental fees, deposit and insurance requirements.
6. Ask about room access, accessibility, tables, chairs and cleanup responsibilities.
7. Complete any City-approved rental application and wait for confirmation before paying or sending invitations.

For understanding common rental charges and deposits across public facilities, see our community center rental costs and booking checklist.

History: The Former Dunbar High School

The building originally housed Dunbar High School, erected in 1923 and named for poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. It served Lexington’s Black community during segregation and developed a prominent academic and athletics legacy.

The school closed in 1967 following desegregation. Lexington acquired the building for recreation use in 1973, and the community center opened in 1978.

The site includes murals celebrating local African-American history and the former school community. Its 2026 renovation preserved its role as an active community gathering place.

Visitors interested in the site’s historic importance can read the history section of the official Lexington facility page.

Dunbar Community Center Map & Parking

Address: 545 North Upper Street, Lexington, KY 40508.

The center is in Lexington’s Northside neighborhood. Use the complete address in navigation rather than searching only for “Dunbar Community Center,” which may return a similarly named facility in another state.

For accessible parking, specific building entrances, elevator use or loading instructions, contact the center. Do not assume a particular parking space or room is available without confirmation.

First-Time Visitor Checklist

• Confirm the Lexington, Kentucky address.
• Check the building hours for your day.
• Check the adult or youth activity calendar.
• Ask about registration and fees for your activity.
• Confirm court access if coming for basketball.
• Ask about accessibility and parking arrangements when needed.
• For a rental, obtain approval before finalizing plans.

Related Community Recreation Guides

For comparing facility rules and planning similar recreation visits, these four published guides offer additional practical information:

• See our community recreation center hours, activities and visitor checklist to understand how gym schedules and building hours differ.
• Compare sports courts, fitness facilities and program registration through the Mason Community Center classes and facility guide.
• Read the Wayne Community Center memberships, gym and activity schedules for another municipal facility model.
• For meeting and event planning, use the community center room reservation and rental fee guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Resources

• Lexington — Dunbar Community Center Hours, Programs & Contact
• Lexington Community Centers Directory
• City Announcement — March 2026 Renovation & Reopening

Independent visitor guide, not operated by Lexington Parks & Recreation. Published hours and programs may change. Confirm current activity schedules, eligibility, admission and rentals directly with the City before visiting.