Rails to Trails, or Just Rails?

Group Works to Convert Kentucky 's Abandoned Rail Lines to Recreational Trails

By Paul Baldwin

Looking for something to do this afternoon? Why not pack up your bike and drive north to Indianapolis to the Monon Trail. For more than 15 miles, the trail winds through the city to nearby Carmel , Ind. It's estimated that more than a million people use the trail, which used to be a railroad bed.

Or maybe you could spend a day traveling Ohio 's Little Miami State Park, an abandoned railroad right-of-way that's been converted to a paved trail. It stretches for 50 miles and goes through four counties in southwest Ohio .

If you have a little more time-and maybe a week to spend in the saddle- Missouri 's Katy Trail , which was built on a former section of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, stretches for 225 miles from St. Charles to Clinton . There are plenty of places to stay along the way, whether you decide to walk or bike.

Searching for something similar in Kentucky ? Prepare to spend more time in your car on than on a trail.

With only 11.5 miles of converted trails, Kentucky ranks 47 th among states that have turned former railroad beds into recreational trails and greenways. Although there have been small sections converted from railways, such as a half-mile stretch on the Louisville Riverwalk, there are none to rival those found in surrounding states.

However, officials with the Kentucky 's Rails to Trails Council, a non-profit group that seeks to help local groups develop abandoned railways into recreational trails, say the state could eventually have hundreds of miles of converted trails for recreation. "We've identified between 500 and 600 miles of trails and abandoned rail lines," said Scott Southall, the KRTC's vice chair for finance.

The most ambitious project on the KRTC's list is the 109-mile Lexington-Big Sandy Trail with a route that begins in Lexington and runs through seven counties before ending in Coalton, outside Ashland, Ky. Currently, a two-mile section of the trail in Lexington, the Brighten East Rail Trail, is on track to be completed by 2005, said KRTC vice president of technical affairs, Keith Lovan.

Lovan and other proponents of converting abandoned railways into trails and greenways suggest that such projects have a variety of benefits, including providing additional recreational and transportation opportunities; encouraging tourism; protecting and creating greenspace; and nurturing the environment. While most projects tend to receive widespread support, residents whose property adjoins converted trails and greenways sometimes raise concerns over safety and privacy.

But the two most significant issues standing in the way of converting railways to trails are property rights and funding, Lovan said. Until four years ago, property rights usually reverted to adjoining landowners. In many instances, land that was once used as a railway is now occupied by buildings or other structures, making trail creation impossible. But in 2000, the Kentucky State Legislature approved House Bill 221, which opened the door to allow local groups to take possession of abandoned rail lines in order to convert them to trails by establishing the state's RailTrail Development Office.

According to the KRTC, eight groups have been established in the state to encourage the formation of converted trails: Bluegrass Rails Trails Foundation; Daniel Boone Rails-To-Trails; Greenways for Oldham Co.; High Bridge Rail-Trail Group; Lake Cumberland Trail Foundation; Pennyrile Rails to Trails Foundation; and Little Mount Trail Commission. Another local group, Muhlenberg Rails to Trails has the longest contiguous section of railtrail in Kentucky at six miles.

The KRTC plans to hold its 5 th biennial Kentucky Rails to Trails Conference on May 14 and 15 at the Galt House in Louisville . The conference is targeted to trail and greenway advocates, elected and appointed officials, community development advocates, public health, design and planning professionals and landscape architects. (Registration and fee information is available on the KRTC's Web site at www.kyrailtrail.org)

To help raise awareness of railtrails, the KRTC is also planning a group ride on Missouri 's Katy Trail , the longest developed railtrail in the United States , September 14-18. The ride will begin in Sedalia and end four days later in St. Charles . Those planning to ride will have to make a deposit to the KRTC in May to reserve their place on the tour. The organization is also in the process of organizing a ride in June for potential participants in either Lexington or Frankfort . Those interested in participating can contact KRTC Secretary Dixie Moore at DixieMoore@insightbb.com.

For additional information on Kentucky 's rails to trails efforts, visit the Kentucky Rails to Trails Council Web site at www.kyrailtrail.org.

Paul Baldwin, who enjoys running, swimming and cycling, is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Louisville .