Elizabethtown, Kentucky: Pioneering Urban Mountain Biking with New Trail Systems

Elizabethtown, Kentucky, has achieved the notable status of being the state's first "Urban Trail Town." This distinction is a testament to the long-standing efforts of Greenspace, a local non-profit organization that has dedicated over 50 years to preserving natural areas and establishing an extensive network of bike and walking paths throughout the city. This deep-rooted connection between urban development and non-motorized trails has created an ideal environment for the expansion of singletrack mountain biking opportunities in Elizabethtown.

Collaborations between NICA, IMBA, PeopleForBikes, and Greenspace are set to introduce more singletrack trails to Elizabethtown, making them readily accessible to the community. The new Trooper Lake project, which includes approximately six miles of trails, is envisioned as a scalable blueprint for similar initiatives nationwide.

Trooper Lake: A Hub for Mountain Biking and Community Engagement

The Trooper Lake initiative is designed to serve as a primary training and event venue for the local NICA team, offering around 5-6 miles of trails suitable for green and blue skill levels, with potential for advanced alternative routes. This cross-country style system will facilitate training and racing, featuring progressive designs that typically include optional bypasses for challenging obstacles, making it accessible for riders of varying skill levels.

Trooper Lake is explicitly being developed to accommodate team practices, Kentucky NICA races, and potentially larger regional events. Initially comprising 75 acres of city-owned land, the project expanded by 40 acres through a land acquisition, securing enough space for the planned six miles of singletrack and making the NICA course a more immediate reality. Further expansion is possible with an additional 60-70 acres, allowing for even more extensive trails. Beyond the trails, Trooper Lake will also function as a city park, equipped with essential amenities such as restrooms, pavilions, play areas, and picnic facilities. While professional builders will construct the trails, significant volunteer support from local NICA clubs, including athletes and coaches, is anticipated.

Expanding Trail Systems: A National Model

NICA and IMBA have forged a new alliance aimed at increasing the proximity of trails to youth, and Elizabethtown proved to be an ideal location for this pilot program, thanks to Greenspace's long-standing advocacy for outdoor recreation. Greenspace provided initial funding for trail planning, complemented by an $80,000 commitment from SRAM over two years. Elizabethtown has allocated $1.8 million for the planning and construction of Trooper Lake Park, which will become the city's 11th park.

The project gained momentum after local NICA student-athletes effectively advocated for new trails following the loss of the popular Buffalo Lake trails due to amphitheater construction. Their testimonies highlighted the positive impact of trails on their lives, prompting the city to seek remedies for the lost mileage. Trooper Lake, with the strong backing of established organizations, emerged as a clear solution. This project is just the beginning of a broader vision to establish local trails in communities across Kentucky. The long-term goal is to develop a repeatable framework that NICA leagues and communities can utilize to advocate for more trails in their local municipalities. This comprehensive strategy involves NICA leading site research and training, IMBA providing guidance on community engagement, and PeopleForBikes connecting projects to existing bike initiatives. Ultimately, the objective is to increase participation in singletrack riding, recognizing its potential to enhance community well-being—physically, mentally, socially, and economically.