By GAGE WILSON
for Glasgow News 1
Discussion of new regional trail projects took center stage at the Park City Tourist and Convention meeting Tuesday, with multiple initiatives poised to position the city as a gateway for outdoor recreation in south-central Kentucky.
The most developed project is a Barren River Area Development District effort to create a continuous trail connecting Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave, passing through Park City. According to Tourism Director Linda Watts, the proposed route would be largely paved to accommodate cyclists and hikers, with a parallel path planned for horseback riding.
“This is going to be a true multi-use trail,” Watts said, noting the project’s potential to draw new visitors while enhancing local connectivity.
Watts said the initiative aligns closely with the mission of Cave Country Trails, a regional collaboration of tourism organizations focused on expanding outdoor recreation opportunities across the area.
Also discussed was a broader, early-stage proposal that would link all 10 counties in the BRADD region through a connected network of nature trails. A feasibility study for that project is scheduled to be hosted in Park City on Jan. 27.
“During Covid, state tourism leaders realized outdoor adventure is a major pillar of tourism,” Watts said. “These kinds of projects lead directly to economic development, especially in rural communities.”
The final project highlighted was the John Muir Legacy Trail, a long-distance route inspired by the famed naturalist’s historic walk from Louisville to the Gulf of Mexico. Public input sessions for the trail began last week, giving residents an opportunity to hear from National Park Service representatives and help shape the trail’s eventual path.
Watts said communities along the route could see subtle but meaningful changes as trail traffic increases. “Who knows – maybe shops start carrying bike tires or walking sticks,” she said. “That’s exciting to think about.”
The most recent public input session was held Tuesday evening at the Cave Area Conference Center, drawing strong participation from tourism officials, including all three of Barren County’s tourism directors. Each emphasized the value of promoting the region’s natural assets in ways that benefit both residents and visitors.
Additional public input sessions for the John Muir Legacy Trail are planned until Feb. 19, before the project advances further.
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