Dugas Community Park Unveils New Mountain Bike Trail, Aims for Regional Hub Status

Dugas Community Park in Scottsville, Kentucky, has recently inaugurated a new mountain biking path spanning 1.5 miles. This represents the initial step in a comprehensive plan to expand the park's recreational offerings. The park management envisions adding an additional 2.5 miles of trails in the near future and developing a long-term master plan to further enhance its trail system over the next decade. This expansion aims to transform the park into a significant destination for mountain biking enthusiasts.

The land for Dugas Community Park, a sprawling 340-acre estate, was a generous donation from Laura Jo and Wayne Dugas. Laura Jo Dugas, daughter of Dollar General Store founder Cal Turner, Sr., and her family resided on this property from 1963 to 1990. Following their departure, they gifted the land to the community, along with an endowment to ensure its continuous upkeep. For Scottsville, a town with a population just over 4,000, possessing such a vast public space for leisure and entertainment is an invaluable asset.

Initially opened to the public in 2016, the park offered walking and hiking trails. Further developments in 2018 included the construction of a pavilion and amphitheater, enabling the park to host various community events. Operating as a private non-profit, the park is governed by a board of directors and an executive director. The board recognized the potential of mountain biking for the land, given Laura Jo Dugas's desire to maintain the property's natural state, which precluded more intensive developments like ballparks.

Shannon Weaver, who assumed the role of executive director in January of this year, noted that the park's first mountain bike trail was already under construction when he joined. Despite his initial unfamiliarity with mountain biking, Weaver quickly engaged with local experts like Scott Duvall, Team Director of Southern KY (SKY) Composite youth mountain bike team, and Chip Winger, President of the Southwest Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, to grasp the sport's community and economic benefits. He was particularly impressed by the potential revenue generation for the town.

David Moore, a local trail builder from Scottsville, was instrumental in developing the park's initial trails. Having previously worked on various trail projects across Kentucky and Tennessee, Moore was approached by a board member and subsequently hired for the task. He characterized the park's landscape as a series of undulating hills, ideal for creating a fun, flowing singletrack trail with numerous rollers suitable for all skill levels. Utilizing a mini-excavator, Moore completed the first trail in three months and is currently working on a second trail, expected to be finished by early August.

Looking ahead, the park aims to become a race venue for the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League by next year. Weaver has already consulted with Duvall to prepare for this goal. Duvall highlighted that Kentucky initially lacked NICA-specific venues, but now seven trail systems are being designed or expanded to host NICA races. Dugas Community Park is well-positioned for this, boasting well-marked trails, ample parking, and necessary facilities. The completion of the second trail will bring the total mileage to over four miles, meeting the requirements for a NICA racecourse.

Winger emphasized Scottsville's potential as a regional riding destination, citing its proximity to downtown, easy access from I-65, and the area's favorable hilly topography. The non-profit status of the park also streamlines the trail development process, reducing bureaucratic delays. Additionally, Scottsville is within a thirty-minute drive of four other trails and less than an hour from Mammoth Cave National Park, which offers 21 miles of riding trails, further enhancing its appeal as a biking hub.

The coming years promise significant developments for Dugas Community Park. Winger mentioned plans for a pump track, dual slalom course, and an extended XC trail of nine to ten miles, contingent on further planning and funding. Beyond NICA races, the park intends to host other cycling events, such as gravel crits and trail festivals. Weaver stated that the immediate focus is on developing sufficient trails for next year's NICA race and finalizing a comprehensive trails master plan, with the ultimate goal of establishing the park's credibility as a premier riding destination.