LEITCHFIELD, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the city of Leitchfield in Grayson County has officially become the commonwealth’s 30th certified Kentucky Trail Town, joining a successful program that helps communities boost economic development and tourism by highlighting outdoor recreation.
“Our trail town communities are essential to driving tourism and welcoming visitors to our new Kentucky home, offering communities a platform to showcase the best outdoor recreational experiences,” said Gov. Beshear. “Adventure seekers might visit for the outdoor experiences but will undoubtedly be charmed by all that Leitchfield has to offer. Congratulations to the Leitchfield community on becoming Kentucky’s 30th Trail Town.”
The Kentucky Trail Town Program is a tourism and economic development program designed to provide a strategic plan for communities to capitalize on recreation opportunities within their community. Each of Kentucky’s 30 trail towns has made the public commitment to share their outdoor opportunities, culture, history and stories with guests seeking opportunities for adventure.
“We’re excited to have another certified Trail Town that will support our trail town initiative and drive outdoor enthusiasts to the region,” said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. “These towns are not only about outdoor recreation but highlighting the unique artistic, cultural and historic offerings of their communities. This multifaceted approach to tourism development makes for a more inviting destination, and more importantly, a better quality of life for Kentuckians.”
“It is always exciting to add a new community to the list of certified Kentucky Trail Towns,” said Russ Meyer, commissioner of the Department of Parks. “Leitchfield, in particular, is a destination location with two Kentucky State Parks, Nolin Lake and Rough River Dam State Resort Park. This certification will help Leitchfield stand out as a destination for outdoor recreation users looking for new places to explore.”
Leitchfield has been working for years to identify and enhance outdoor recreation and build new opportunities in the area. Outside of outdoor recreation, the Trail Town program aims to build downtown areas by offering more destinations in restaurants, coffee shops, retailers and event venues. Leitchfield is unique as it sits midway between two popular central Kentucky State Parks: Nolin Lake State Park and Rough River Dam State Resort Park. Both parks offer exciting lake-based recreation and paddling opportunities in nearby rivers and creeks. The Public Trails Association of Grayson County has led the efforts to enhance and build new trails in and around Leitchfield.
“Being designated as a Trail Town is such an honor to our community. It recognizes our dedication to preserving the natural beauty of our county and promotes outdoor recreation for our citizens,” Leitchfield Mayor Harold Wilson said. “This distinction celebrates our ongoing effort to welcome visitors, enhance our quality of life and to showcase our hospitality. Congratulations Grayson County on achieving this goal.”
“It’s an honor to have Grayson County designated as a Trail Town. This will have an economic impact on our community for years to come,” said Grayson County Judge/Executive Kevin Henderson. “We will see individuals coming from other areas which will bring tourism to our already established lakes and recreation. We hope that this will enhance the overall health of our community by providing six great trails to explore throughout Grayson County.”
Grayson County Tourism Director Tiffany Decker said, “We couldn't be more excited to finally be certified as a Trail Town in Grayson County. Tourism, along with Grayson County Public Trails, has waited a long time for this certification. We hope that being certified as a Trail Town in Kentucky, we can bring more tourists to our region to see our beautiful trails and lakes.”
To celebrate, Leitchfield will hold a certification ceremony on Monday, Nov. 18, at 12:00 p.m. CST at the Logsdon Valley Park Amphitheater. The event is open to the public.
Leitchfield’s Kentucky Trail Town certification follows the Governor’s announcement in August that $720,000 in new grant funding is available for Kentucky Trail Towns to repair, enhance and promote recreational projects.
In May of this year, Gov. Beshear announced that 2023 was the best year on record for tourism, with $13.8 billion in economic impact and 95,222 jobs. This was the second straight record-breaking year for tourism, with 2022 generating $12.9 billion in economic impact and 91,668 jobs.
In November 2023, Gov. Beshear announced that the commonwealth broke an all-time record with nine new tourism development projects set to generate an estimated $292.1 million in economic investment. These projects also are expected to create 550 jobs once operational. Through October 2024, nine tourism development projects have an estimated investment of $251.5 million. The projects will provide 352 full-time jobs and 1,326 part-time jobs once operational.
The state’s bourbon and spirits industry recorded its best year for growth in 2022, with over $2.1 billion in new investments and approximately 700 new jobs for Kentucky residents. The sector followed with a strong 2023, including $713.8 million in new investments and 229 full-time jobs.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $33 billion in announced investments, creating more than 56,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
Gov. Beshear has long been an advocate for legislation that supports tourism and Kentucky State Parks, most recently signing House Joint Resolution 56, which released $71 million for capital construction projects at Kentucky State Parks, including building system upgrades, accommodation improvements and recreational amenity enhancements. Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 6, allocating over $66 million for state park upgrades for various state parks.
Leitchfield joins Dawson Springs, Livingston, Morehead, Olive Hill, London, Stearns, Elkhorn City, Jamestown, Manchester, Berea, Columbia, Royalton, the Harlan County Tri Cities of Cumberland, Benham and Lynch, McKee, Slade, Munfordville, Cave City and Horse Cave, Campbellsville, Irvine and Ravenna, Hazard, Elizabethtown, Morgantown, Park City, Livermore, Burkesville, Hyden, Liberty and Pikeville as Kentucky Trail Towns.
For more information on Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov. For more information on exploring Kentucky’s great outdoors, including Kentucky Trail Towns, visit Kentuckytourism.com.