When Senate Bill 196 passed unopposed on March 28, Governor Steve Beshear applauded the bipartisan effort to “promote Kentucky as a premier frontier for adventure tourism.”
When he signed the bill on April 16, he and Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo began a statewide initiative for outdoor recreation facilities in all 120 counties of Kentucky.
The Adventure Tourism Bill, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Smith (R-Hazard), allows for the state to enter into agreements with private property owners for the use of land for recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking, fishing and motorized vehicle use, where as the current law hindered the state from doing so because of private property liability.
“This bill allows our outdoor enthusiasts to cross the commonwealth by trail as far west as Columbus to as far east as Phelps and from as far north as Rabbit Hash to as far south as Ashlock,” said First Lady Jane Beshear in statement, a long-time supporter of the bill.
At a public breakfast at Peak Bros. Bar-B-Que in Waverly Thursday morning, Mongiardo expressed his wishes to Union County citizens to put together a series of these trails in every county of Kentucky, in hopes to be able to ride by horseback from every county to Lexington for the September 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games opening ceremonies.
By admission, Mongiardo stated these trails would need to be developed “as fast as we can,” without losing uniformity. “We are weeks away from a master plan, and months away from investment,” he said, but Mongiardo believes that each county will have access to funding aid for these projects at the onset.
Mongiardo believes Union County is ahead of the game. With support from local and state government officials and the accompaniment of assets like Higginson Henry Wildlife Area and Moffitt Lake, which are already established, he feels we have won half the battle.
“Not the entire state, certainly not the entire country, has the opportunity to have the type of leaders you all have,” Mongiardo stated. He praised the efforts of Judge Exec. Jody Jenkins, Sen. Dorsey Ridley and Rep. Dr. John Arnold for continuing to promote Union County and lead in efforts to overcome partisanship in politics.
“Attitudes are starting to change. We are bringing together all sides. In the end, we are Kentuckians, we are Americans,” he said. Mongiardo stated that the Adventure Tourism bill, carried by a Republican, was the only bill to pass without negative votes from either side.
“Kentucky has the environment to do everything outdoors, except snow ski,” Mongiardo said. “We have more shoreline than any other state except Alaska. Anything you want to shoot with a gun or camera is here in Kentucky. Imagine what happens if we connect event destinations in Kentucky to Union County and keep going.”
Mongiardo says the master plan is to create a cross-Kentucky trail system for horses, mountain bikes, and 4-wheelers to be able to cross the state and to promote Kentucky as the number one outdoor tourism state in the nation.
Mongiardo says the state plan is to use post-mine reclaimed land, strip haul roads, coal roads, and abandoned rail gates to create 40% of the trail. Currently the PVA is taking inventory of what is available to the state for use, and Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Mongiardo are working with 120 judges in 120 counties to organize efforts. “What works in Union County needs to be custom fit to Union County, and Perry County to Perry County,” he said. “But the number one tourist attraction is a trail. We’re sitting on coal reserves, great land, and adventure tourism.”
“Isn’t it exciting to be in Kentucky right now?”
