Fiscal Year 25/26 

• Kentucky Trail Town Grant: Morehead Trail Town was awarded a $30,000 Kentucky Trail Town Grant to construct a new public kayak launch on Triplett Creek. This launch is the first of three planned access points designed to expand paddling opportunities and improve recreational access to the creek.
• AARP Community Challenge Grant: Morehead Trail Town applied for an AARP Community Challenge Grant to improve pedestrian access behind the new Rowan County Senior Center, creating a safer and more accessible walking area for older adults with future connectivity to the Morehead Greensinks project. While the grant was not awarded, the project remains a priority for future funding opportunities.
• International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Trail Accelerator Grant: Morehead Trail Town applied for an IMBA Trail Accelerator Grant to support the development of a beginner-friendly mountain bike pump track. Although the application was not selected for funding, the process connected the project team with Alliance ASE, opening the door to pursue alternative grant opportunities and continue advancing the project.

 Since becoming a Kentucky Trail Town, Morehead has continued investing in projects that improve outdoor recreation, active transportation, and community connectivity. Completed projects include:

• Morehead Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan – Completed the community's first comprehensive Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, identifying priorities for sidewalks, shared-use paths, bicycle facilities, and trail connections while creating a long-term roadmap for active transportation throughout Morehead and Rowan County.
• East Main Corridor Improvements (through a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant) – Completed streetscape and pedestrian enhancements along the East Main Corridor, improving walkability, accessibility, safety, and connectivity between neighborhoods, businesses, and community destinations.
• Kentucky Trail Town Designation – Successfully achieved and maintained Kentucky Trail Town designation annually, strengthening Morehead's position as a destination for hiking, paddling, cycling, and outdoor recreation.
• Sheltowee Trace Safety Improvements – Partnered with the Sheltowee Trace Association - Cave Run Lake Chapter to design and purchase custom latitude and longitude trail blazes for the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in Rowan County. These location markers will help emergency responders quickly identify and reach hikers in need, improving safety along one of Kentucky's premier long-distance trails. 
• Outdoor Recreation Partnerships – Developed partnerships with local, regional, state, and federal organizations to support trail development, paddling access, outdoor programming, and recreation planning throughout the Morehead area.

 The success of Morehead Trail Town is built on collaboration. Creating and maintaining a vibrant trail community requires the dedication of local governments, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, volunteers, and outdoor enthusiasts working together toward a common goal. Through these partnerships, Morehead continues to expand recreational opportunities, improve public access, enhance visitor experiences, and protect our natural resources for future generations.

Our partners include:

• Morehead-Rowan County Tourism – Provides leadership for the Trail Town initiative through destination marketing, grant administration, financial assistance, project development, and promotion of Morehead's outdoor recreation opportunities.
• City of Morehead – Supports trail planning, infrastructure improvements, pedestrian enhancements, parks, and community development projects that improve connectivity and quality of life.
• Rowan County Fiscal Court – Partners on recreation infrastructure, trail access, public lands, and community improvement projects that benefit both residents and visitors.
• Friends of Rodburn Hollow Park – Works to preserve, maintain, and enhance Rodburn Hollow Park while supporting trail development, volunteer efforts, environmental stewardship, and outdoor education.
• Sheltowee Trace Association – Collaborates on stewardship and promotion of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, including volunteer trail maintenance, educational programming, and safety initiatives such as the installation of latitude and longitude trail markers to assist emergency responders.
• U.S. Forest Service – Daniel Boone National Forest – Manages thousands of acres of public lands surrounding Morehead and partners on trail maintenance, recreation planning, visitor access, conservation, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Manages Cave Run Lake and surrounding recreation areas while partnering on boating access, paddling, recreation infrastructure, and public access improvements.
• Kentucky Department of Parks – Supports Morehead's Trail Town efforts through the Kentucky Trail Town Program, grant funding, marketing assistance, and statewide promotion.
• Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources – Partners to enhance paddling access, fishing opportunities, wildlife conservation, and outdoor recreation throughout the region.

Together, these organizations help make Morehead a premier outdoor recreation destination in Eastern Kentucky, creating lasting opportunities for residents and visitors to explore, connect, and enjoy the natural beauty of our community.

Morehead Trail Town is continuing to build on completed planning and infrastructure projects by pursuing new opportunities that improve trail access, outdoor recreation, safety, and community connectivity.

Our immediate priorities include:

• Expanding access to Triplett Creek by developing additional public kayak launch and take-out locations. The long-term goal is to create a series of coordinated access points that allow paddlers to enjoy different sections of the creek.
• Advancing the beginner pump track project through our partnership with Alliance ASE and the pursuit of alternative grant funding. The proposed pump track would provide a welcoming place for children, families, and beginning cyclists to develop skills and gain confidence.
• Pursuing pedestrian improvements near the Rowan County Senior Center to create safe, accessible walking opportunities for older adults and other community members. Future plans may also connect this area with the Morehead Greensinks project.
• Implementing priorities identified in the Morehead Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, including improved sidewalks, bicycle facilities, trail connections, accessibility, and safer routes between neighborhoods and community destinations.
• Building on the East Main Corridor improvements by identifying additional opportunities to strengthen pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout the community.
• Continuing collaboration with our partners to identify funding, complete priority projects, maintain existing recreation assets, and protect Morehead’s natural resources.

These projects represent the next steps in Morehead’s effort to become an even more connected, accessible, and welcoming destination for hiking, paddling, cycling, and outdoor adventure.