A Little Information on the Licking River Greenway & Trails

The Master Plan reveals the abundant cultural and natural resources of the five-mile Licking River corridor in both Campbell and Kenton counties.

Wilder Property Acquisition a Plus for the Greenway and Trails

Many boating enthusiasts in Northern Kentucky have visited Fredrick's Landing in the City of Wilder, the best boat launch ramp in the area. Mayor Turner and City Manager Vance are supporting the Licking River Greenway and Trails initiative and are actively pursuing opportunities to link Fredrick's Landing with the City Building and to build a paved trail loop from the Landing through a newly acquired piece of property.

The City of Wilder recently purchased 9.77 acres of property directly south of Fredrick's Landing. Acquiring this property was outlined in the Licking River Greenway and Trails Master Plan, and it will serve as a key connection point to other pieces of property in the area.

Where does the money to build trails come from?

Funding to create, rehabilitate and maintain urban parks and recreation facilities comes from Federal grants (usually distributed by State agencies) and municipal general funds, foundations, corporations, private donors, land donations, and sponsored events.

The City of Covington Neighborhoods, Parks, and Recreation Department submitted an application on February 25 to the Kentucky Department of Local Government Recreational Trails Program. The grant request of $100,000 would build the first phase of a paved trail on the Licking River Floodwall, between Clayton Meyer Park and Holmes High School. The City of Covington will fund most of the project out of General Fund Accounts and Community Development Block Grant Funds.

A private donor has agreed to provide $20,000 toward the execution of the project. The City of Covington, Sanitation District #1, and Duke Energy own the land in the proposed trail corridor and no private residential land will need to be acquired to complete the project.

Vision 2015 staff will continue to assist the corridor cities-Covington, Taylor Mill, Newport, and Wilder-to secure funds for trail and amenity development and for greenway restoration in the Licking River corridor. Staff will help identify funding opportunities including federal grants, foundation funding, corporate gifts and individual donors.

$20,000 Award for Greenway Restoration on the Licking River

On April 5, 2010 The Greater Cincinnati Foundation announced a grant of $20,000 to the Kenton Conservancy, Inc. to conduct an assessment, develop a work plan, and obtain civic engagement services for the Licking River Greenway and Trails. The project grant from GCF will focus on the habitat restoration of the Licking River corridor.

The next step is to integrate the findings of previous studies and develop a plan to recover the natural habitat of the riverbank. At the conclusion of this assessment, opportunities for restoration will be identified based on the analysis and on community interest and capacity.

The proposed funding will be used 1) to develop a work plan to guide residents, "green" organizations, and local governments in the riverbank restoration; and 2) to engage Northern Kentucky residents in the work plan implementation. Patricia Timm, EdD, will manage the GCF grant and provide the civic engagement services for the Kenton Conservancy.

Riverfront Commons Bank Stabilization Study

Jack Moreland, President of Southbank Partners, announced that an agreement was reached with the Army Corps of Engineers for a $700,000 feasibility study for the proposed walkway connecting the Ohio River cities in Northern Kentucky.

The Riverfront Commons Project led by Southbank Partners will connect Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton and Ft. Thomas with a riverfront path. When the study is completed the Army Corps will be able to take the next step, stabilizing portions of the riverbank such as at the Ohio confluence.

The Licking River Greenway and Trail Master Plan and the Riverfront Commons proposed path overlap from the Ohio confluence to the Fourth Street bridge. This study is essential to developing pedestrian and bikeways on both riverfronts.

US Department of Transportation Supporting Bicycling

"Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized. We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities." - US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, March, 2010

Our Vision: The Licking River Greenway and Trails system in Northern Kentucky is an attractive regional park with a healthy riparian corridor that features a system of multi-use recreational trails linking people to the Licking River and to neighborhood cultural, educational and historical assets.

Pat Timm
Licking River Greenway and Trails
859-292-3291