The Sheltowee Trace Association
A 501c(3) non-profit formed to protect, preserve and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.
Discover and Enjoy Kentucky's Long Trail
Sheltowee Trace Association, 63 Burtonville Rd., Tollesboro, Ky. 41189 Phone: 606-584-7744
Email: director@sheltoweetrace.org
Trail Towns
STA & KY TOURISM WORK TO
DEVELOP TRAIL TOWNS
In 2011, the Kentucky Office of Tourism began to look at the towns along the Sheltowee Trace and the Daniel Boone NF as potential locations as Trail Towns where they could potentially gain some economic benefits from visits by users of the DBNF.
The program is modeled after successful trail towns along the Appalachian Trail like Damascus, Va., and Hot Springs, NC.
The STA worked with Tourism to encourage the towns of Morehead, Frenchburg, McKee, Livingston, London-Corbin, Stearns-Whitley City, to look at the potential by participating in the state developed Trail Town Assessment".
The STA when possible visits these communities with the leadership of the Office of Tourism to share our experiences and encourage local and county leadership to see if there is some opportunity for their participation.
In 2011, the Kentucky Office of Tourism began to look at the towns along the Sheltowee Trace and the Daniel Boone NF as potential locations as Trail Towns where they could potentially gain some economic benefits from visits by users of the DBNF.
The program is modeled after successful trail towns along the Appalachian Trail like Damascus, Va., and Hot Springs, NC.
The STA worked with Tourism to encourage the towns of Morehead, Frenchburg, McKee, Livingston, London-Corbin, Stearns-Whitley City, to look at the potential by participating in the state developed Trail Town Assessment".
The STA when possible visits these communities with the leadership of the Office of Tourism to share our experiences and encourage local and county leadership to see if there is some opportunity for their participation.
TRAIL TOWN Q. & A.
What is the trail town certification program all about? Interested towns and communitiy leaders, using the guidelines provided by state tourism, complete an assessment of the current trail situation in and near their community. The assessment looks at;
Why should a town get involved? Two reasons! One is the health and happiness of the local community. The certication process will awaken the local population and leadership to the resources they have right in their front yard and hopefully encourage more local families to get out and enjoy the trails. Taking a hike, riding a bike, going on a trail ride are all activities that will help us all get healthy as individuals and as a community.
The second reason is economic. Towns that can capture the economic benefits of the leisure-adventure tourism market could potentially earn $51 to $240 per person per night spent in the community.
In the end, how does this benefit my town?
and HEY YOU GET A COOL SIGN!!!! For more information please contact director@sheltoweetrace.org.
What is the trail town certification program all about? Interested towns and communitiy leaders, using the guidelines provided by state tourism, complete an assessment of the current trail situation in and near their community. The assessment looks at;
- Inventoring current trail assets
- calling together leading trail user groups in the area
- forming a committee to see the certification process through from local and community leaders
Why should a town get involved? Two reasons! One is the health and happiness of the local community. The certication process will awaken the local population and leadership to the resources they have right in their front yard and hopefully encourage more local families to get out and enjoy the trails. Taking a hike, riding a bike, going on a trail ride are all activities that will help us all get healthy as individuals and as a community.
The second reason is economic. Towns that can capture the economic benefits of the leisure-adventure tourism market could potentially earn $51 to $240 per person per night spent in the community.
In the end, how does this benefit my town?
- Planning document for economic growth from local natural
assets - Tourism based development
- Visitors start and end their experience in your town
- They spend money before they go and after they
return in your businesses - People who come spread the word
- You become the destination to visit in the DBNF.
- Opportunity for young entrepreneurs to enter the
business world
and HEY YOU GET A COOL SIGN!!!! For more information please contact director@sheltoweetrace.org.
TRAIL TOWN STATUS UPDATES
Morehead, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed the New Cities Group in January 2012 on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town. The STA is in the process of developing a plan, working with interested Morehead leaders in rerouting the Trace down through Main Street in Morehead.
Frenchburg, Ky. - In the ready position to begin talks about the process.
McKee, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed county government officials, and Jackson Tourism officials in January 2012 on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town.
Stearns, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed in December 2011, local government officials, federal parks and Forest Service leaders, local community leaders on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town.
Livingston, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed local economic development officials, town leadership on the certification process. Currently they have developed one loop trail that takes in the Sheltowee Trace from Hwy 25 to turn onto Hazel Patch up to Wildcat Mountain Battlefield area then down the Trace to State Rd 1228 left to St. Rt 89 where you turn left and head back into Livingston. They are also working on additional short bike rides on the backroads in and around Livingston. Working with the local horse camp, they are working on a trail ride from the camp into Livingston.
Olive Hill, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed the Olive Hill and Carter County leaders in January 2012 on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town.
Morehead, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed the New Cities Group in January 2012 on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town. The STA is in the process of developing a plan, working with interested Morehead leaders in rerouting the Trace down through Main Street in Morehead.
Frenchburg, Ky. - In the ready position to begin talks about the process.
McKee, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed county government officials, and Jackson Tourism officials in January 2012 on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town.
Stearns, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed in December 2011, local government officials, federal parks and Forest Service leaders, local community leaders on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town.
Livingston, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed local economic development officials, town leadership on the certification process. Currently they have developed one loop trail that takes in the Sheltowee Trace from Hwy 25 to turn onto Hazel Patch up to Wildcat Mountain Battlefield area then down the Trace to State Rd 1228 left to St. Rt 89 where you turn left and head back into Livingston. They are also working on additional short bike rides on the backroads in and around Livingston. Working with the local horse camp, they are working on a trail ride from the camp into Livingston.
Olive Hill, Ky. - State Tourism director Elaine Wilson briefed the Olive Hill and Carter County leaders in January 2012 on the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Trail Town.
