A new bike trail initiative has been established for trails in Northern Kentucky.
The NKY Trail Fund has been established in partnership with Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance and Tri-State Trails to support trail development in Northern Kentucky.
“This fund will have a remarkable impact on our community’s vibrancy,” said Nancy Grayson, president and CEO of Horizon Community Funds. “The connectivity it will enable will help Northern Kentucky thrive on many different levels.”
The Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance was founded in 1996 by a group of bike riders working to build and advocate for more miles of off-road trails. It has built or leveraged over 115 miles of multi-use natural surface trails. By building sustainable and connected trail systems, it has worked to change the community’s discussion about trails.
“The NKY Trail Fund represents a pivotal step in our mission to enhance Northern Kentucky through sustainable trail development,” said Jason Reser, trail development director of Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance. “With this fund, we can significantly improve recreational access and connectivity, fostering greater community engagement, wellness, and environmental stewardship. We’re excited to partner with Horizon and leverage resources to enrich our trails and green spaces, ultimately creating a healthier, more vibrant place to live, work, and play.”
The mission of Tri-State Trails is to connect people and places with a regional trail and bikeway network that enhances vibrancy and equity in the community. The nonprofit was organized in 2012 to craft a connected vision for the fragmented regional trail network. Since its inception, its partners have built more than 138 miles of multi-use trails and 55 miles of on-road bikeways.
“Regional multi-use trails present a unique opportunity to connect communities in Northern Kentucky with safe paths for walking and bicycling,” said Wade Johnston, executive director of Tri-State Trails. “Oftentimes, one of the most challenging aspects of building trails is raising the required local match funds needed to access federal and state grants for construction. Establishing the Trail Fund at Horizon Community Funds will create a new tool in the toolbox for local governments to leverage the generosity of donors in Northern Kentucky to overcome that barrier and build more trails.”
Donors can contribute to the fund here.