Beech Tree News Network

The city of Morgantown has officially achieved status as a Kentucky Trail Town.

The Trail Town Task Force was presented with an official certification on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the certification ceremony held at the Butler County Arts Guild.

The ceremony began with an introduction of the Trail Town Task Force and recognitions for those in attendance and in the community who contributed to the process.

Morgantown, sitting right in the heart of the Green River, is the 23^rd city in the state of Kentucky to receive Trail Town status.

“I think its only going to benefit our community and help our community to grow and bring more tourism into our area,” Judge Executive Tim Flener said.

A trail town is described as a destination along a long-distance trail that can be explored by foot, water, rail or cycle and allows access to the community, heritage, local goods and services and other businesses. 

“I believe whole heartedly that Morgantown does this as it is more like home every day,” Melanie Hunt, chairman of the Morgantown Trail Town Task Force, said during the October City Council meeting. The certification was first officially announced during the meeting which took place on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The Trail Town Task Force was put together about four years ago when the efforts to become a trail town first began. Hunt said the process has been ongoing ever since and spoke on process of achieving this certification has consisted of and gave a summary of the events that the trail town has hosted in the previous and recent years. Some of these events included the third annual Green River Ramble that took place in June, the Catfish Festival, the third annual Rochester Festival, floating events, etc.  The trail town has had large numbers of participation with hundreds of people participating in the events held throughout the years.

Hunt expressed her gratitude for all members of the community that played a role in making this possible. Hunt said this was possible due to everyone not only in the city but also outside of it and thanked anyone who played in the city’s success whether is was by participating in events, spreading the word or sharing a post on social media.

Signage will soon be posted on interstate I65 recognizing Morgantown as a Trail Town. Mile markers and signs will also be posted along the Green River and the task force is currently looking for volunteers to assist with this.

Seth Wheat, Director of Tourism Development, spoke on the importance of Tourism and Trail Towns in the state. Wheat discussed the decline of health issues in the state of Kentucky including increased obesity rates and cardiovascular issues among others indicating a lack of healthy lifestyles.

“A big component is that we’ve become disengaged with our natural world,” said Wheat. “By improving access to fun and healthy outdoor activities, our belief is that we can start to turn the tide and positively impact our physical health all across Kentucky.”

He also spoke on the economic impact in which the tourism department focuses on how to positively impact communities around the state. According to the Tourism Department, a total of $11.2 Billion in tourism was generated in the state. He also believes in the importance of bringing people not only to the trails and river, but into the community to engage them in what the city has to offer.

Wheat believes that the Green River and Morgantown specifically will contribute greatly to the growth of the Southern Central region of the state.

 “At the end of the day, its all about raising the profile of Morgantown,” Wheat said. “If what were doing doesn’t benefit the places in which we live and work, then its not worth it.”

Refreshments and fruit sculpture were provided by Sam Gentry and the Green River Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. A painting of the Green River was created and displayed by Gail Smrtic in honor of receiving the certification.

The trail town will continue to utilize tourism efforts such as the MOGO Shuttle and city bikes, canoe and kayaking events, Catfish Festival, as well as working to bring some new events into the city.

The Morgantown Trail Town holds monthly meetings at the Eva J. Hawes Building on the fourth Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Hunt encourages people to come and stay updated on what is going on in the community and to share any ideas that one may have with them.