Draft:Baileys Trail System

The Baileys Trail System
Length58/88 miles
LocationSoutheastern Ohio, United States
Established2017
TrailheadsChauncey-Dover Park Trailhead Doanville-York Trailhead
UseMountain biking
MonthsApril-January
Maintained byOutdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
Websitehttps://baileystrailsystem.org/

The Baileys Trail System, located in Chauncey, Ohio will be an 88-mile mountain bike optimized system upon completion. The mission of the Baileys Trail System is to integrate conservation, outdoor recreation, and economic development to strengthen and inspire communities in Southeast Ohio. This system, located in Ohio’s only National Forest in Athens county, currently has direct community connections to Chauncey and Doanville, and a future connection to the Village of Buchtel is soon to be under construction.[1]

History

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The roots of the Baileys Trail System date back to 1993 when a group of recreation stakeholders recommended a 16 mile “Bailey Run” mountain bike trail to the Wayne National Forest. The idea resurfaced sporadically over the years, until it finally gained steam in January 2016. The latest iteration of this project idea brought Forest Service staff together with bike club members, local governments, planning and health departments, agencies and nonprofits, land managers, higher education tourism and business stakeholders, and citizens to the planning table.[2]

In May 2017, the first version of the Baileys Trail System Master Plan was released; in November 2017, the Baileys was selected as the first National Forest outdoor recreation conservation finance pilot project; and in December 2017, the Wayne National Forest approved the development of an 88-mile single-track trail system for mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers of all skill levels.[3]

The grassroots community-based collaborative planning efforts of the Baileys Trail System project highlighted the mutually beneficial economic, social, environmental, and healthy lifestyle opportunities sustainable development of a recreation asset brings to rural areas[4]. It is that realization which prompted the creation of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) council of governments in May of 2019.

Funding

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Jurisdictions pay or donate in-kind membership dues, based on population density to sustain ORCA’s work developing and managing the Baileys Trail System. Baileys Trail System Sponsors and Grantors have invested more than $100,000 in development of the Baileys Trail System. Social enterprises are made possible by an impact investment of $200,000 from the Athens County Foundation. Partners collaborate on projects in and related to the Baileys and ORCA’s regional efforts to sustain the Baileys and deliver social, economic, environmental, and health benefits to Appalachian Ohio communities.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Baileys Trail System". Forest Service USDA. 2024-07-18. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  2. ^ henterly (2024-04-11). "The Power of Place". OHIO News. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  3. ^ "The Beginning of the Baileys Trail System". National Forest Foundation. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  4. ^ "ODNR CELEBRATES BAILEYS TRAIL SYSTEM'S NEW TRAILHEAD". Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  5. ^ "Outdoor Recreation Outcomes-Based Financing for Baileys Trail System". Quantified Ventures. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-18.