If You Mow It, They Will Come: The Trails WINCHESTER, KY It is not at all uncommon for land to sit unused for years as property owners figure out development plans. In Clark County, Kentucky, 3 fields of bluegrass have been transformed by property owners in this very situation. The Traveling Trail is a simple public walking path on property owned by the local hospital. Through a shared use agreement with county government, the hospital has opened this property to public use and the county has taken on maintenance and liability. Because the hospital originally planned to build a new facility on the site, trail construction was kept very simple: a path mowed in the grass. Over time, benches and shaded areas were added. The hospital eventually decided not to build on the site, but the simple trail remains and is a key recreational resource for county residents of all ages. The success and popularity of the Traveling Trail inspired a local church, Calvary Christian Church, to create a similar trail on its own undeveloped property. The simple mowed trail, called The Path, provides area residents with another safe and comfortable place not only for walking but also for gardening and sports league practices. The Clark County Cooperative Extension office joined in the shared use fun, adding a mowed trail called the Garden Path to its property. These relatively simple walking trails provide much-needed recreation space for thousands of residents. KEY RESOURCES QQ This Land Is Our Land: A Primer on Public Land Ownership and Opportunities for Recreational Access QQ Congregation to Community: Shared Use by North Carolina Faith-Based Organizations QQ Creating Healthier Communities Through Shared Use of Hospitals (Safe Routes to School National Partnership) 0 0 100 100 200 300 km 300 mi 200 m 100 mi KENTUCKY Winchester This resource was designed for faith-based institutions and shared use advocates in North Carolina, but it can be adapted for use across the country. 13 Shared Use | changelabsolutions.org
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