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Berea named an official Kentucky Trail Town

Will help boost adventure tourism

BEREA, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2015) — Berea today was named an official “Trail Town” thanks to its bicycle routes, trails and other recreational assets that tie in to the community known for arts and crafts, said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Bob Stewart.

trail“Berea is a great addition to our list of Trail Towns,” he said. “With all of the artists and crafts people here, along with Berea College, the community has plenty of things to attract guests interested in outdoor recreation.”

The Kentucky Trail Town Program is designed to help connect communities to trail systems and develop them as tourist destinations. It will guide travelers to trails, food, lodging, campgrounds, museums, entertainment and other services. The designation will help communities improve their tourism economy, add more jobs and create more tourism opportunities for the entire state.

“I want to offer congratulations to all of the people who have worked on the Trail Town certification for Berea,” First Lady Jane Beshear said. “Certification as a Trail Town will help Berea attract more tourists to the community and will benefit the entire region.”

More than 30 communities have started the application process to become a Trail Town and are working with the Office of Adventure Tourism in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

Berea is the 11th certified Kentucky Trail Town. It joins Dawson Springs, Livingston, Morehead, Olive Hill, London, Stearns, Elkhorn City, Jamestown, Manchester, and Royalton as official Kentucky Trail Towns.

Some of the outdoor opportunities at Berea include Berea College Forest, which covers 7,800 acres and has 12 miles of hiking trails with beautiful overlooks; the John B. Stephenson Memorial Trail for cycling; and the TransAmerica cycling trail that runs from coast to coast. The community is also working on promoting paddling experiences in local streams.

Students and faculty from Berea College played a key role in working with local officials to develop the Trail Town plan. Berea is also home to the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. A short trail connects the center to the campus area.

The Office of Adventure Tourism will provide guidance to interested communities on issues such as trail development and signage, information and resources from other state agencies and how other communities have been successful by linking trails and services.

Once a community receives the Trail Town certification, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Department of Travel and Tourism and Office of Adventure Tourism will help promote and market these communities and the services being offered. They will be highlighted on maps, websites, visitors’ guides and other state promotional material.

For more information about Trail Towns and adventure tourism in Kentucky, visit www.kentuckytourism.com.