Accomplishments & Goals

During 2020 the community trail planning sessions switched to monthly virtual meetings in March. A 501c was created with a separate bank account for fundraising, grants etc. A grants task team was formed. An organizational chart and task teams were developed. Our goals for 2021 in this area include increasing public participation by recording meetings, posting on social media, websites and print media. Introduce 20 additional towns along the JMLT route to the planning process. Write grants and seek additional funding sources. Establish co-chairs and a board; look into liability insurance needs and legal issues for leadership.

The National Parks Service helps communities improve parks, establish trails, access rivers and protect special places each year as a part of their Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. The West Point Revitalization Committee applied for and won a planning grant for the John Muir Legacy Trail project for 2020 and have applied for an extension of the grant in 2021.

In early 2020 we contacted Hardin/Meade Health Department and they attended meetings in January and February. They offered to do food security events alongside our trail events and create smoking cessation and exercise type programs. These efforts were curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic which directed the health department resources elsewhere. In 2021 we plan to reconnect with Hardin/Meade Health Department, make contacts with additional health professionals to help us meet our goals to educate and feed communities. We also plan to seek data and leaders regarding trail design safety, security and health for minorities, women and children.

In 2020 there were contacts made with a variety of museums and societies. Our goal for 2021 is to increase contacts, engage groups to add information for stories from historically unheard voices along the 1000 mile route of the John Muir Trail. We also plan to reach out to artists and guilds and plan events.

During 2020 we began the GIS proposed trail location work. We have a partial phase 1 area identified. There is a preliminary West Point Bike and Pedestrian Plan. We have had discussions with Louisville Public Works regarding extension of the Louisville Loop section to the JMLT into Hardin County. We have had discussions with Hardin and Meade County, Radcliff and Elizabethtown for possible road-bike routes. Equestrian Trail Advocates have partnered with West Point Revitalization and begun discussions with landowners. ETA has had several exploratory trail rides. Kulmer Beach Residents and Jefferson County Parks are in discussions with USACE PAS matching grant for park master planning. There has been preliminary mapping for Watson Lane to Salt River. For 2021 we plan to map proposed route for entire phase 1 from Louisville to Elizabethtown. Develop a task team to complete the review of roadway bike/pedestrian options in West Point and along Dixie Hwy on both side of the Salt River Bridge. Seek public/private access for off road trail options to create a West Point Loop of of the JMLT. We need to enlist volunteers to replace rotting wooden surface of the Bee Branch Pedestrian bridge. Enlist volunteers to build and reroute a section of the Pearman Trail to connect with the Ft. Duffield Red Trail to bypass the boat ramp parking lot. Add signage. Seek approval from Louisville Public Works for the "Louisville" segment of the JMLT to have official designated status, to be located on a section of the existing Louisville Loop section from Downtown to Watson Ln, also from Main St Louisville across 2nd St Bridge to Jeffersonville, IN. Fundraise and install JMLT way-finding, historical and educational signage for the first approximately 20 miles of the trail. Collaborate with the City of West Point and private landowners to map and seek approval for a West Point HIstoric Horse Trails system; address legal issues, create existing facilities survey. Collaborate on blue-way paddle trail mapping including Kulmer and West Point waterfronts; create joint existing facilities survey; seek grants for physical improvements, mapping and media. Seek meeting with Louisville Public Works, LGE/Texas Gas, MSD, P&L RR, Kosmos, River Fields, Ohio Valley Raceway for permission to tour properties for preliminary "off road" hike, bike, equestrian route investigations.

During 2020 the John Muir Legacy Trail website began development.
We had JMLT T-Shirts made and are for sale or with donations. A racial equity and inclusivity task team worked with the KY Cultural Heritage Tourism Director and Coordinator for African and Native American Heritage to broaden the diversity of our planning partners and our leadership team. We planned and completed a Hike, Bike, Paddle, Horse Virtual Trails Event with online sign up and information. The 6 week, COVID socially distanced outdoor opportunity included 2 horse trail riding days on city and private land along with a 5K hike/walk. Two blue-way paddling courses were marked and mapped online and a group of paddlers studying the rivers from the University of Louisville joined in the fun. Our goals for 2021 include video tours and drone footage of existing and proposed trails, pursue linking with 20 new JMLT towns, connect with hike bike, paddle and trail user groups via social media and connecting w ith city and county tourism sites, elected official's pages, community calendars, TV and radio.