Kentucky State University and the City of Frankfort partner on walking trail

Kentucky State University and the City of Frankfort partner on walking trail

Posted on December 7, 2018

After a decade of working together, Kentucky State University and the City of Frankfort are one step closer to creating a hiking/walking trail that will run through city and Kentucky State University property.

The Kentucky State University Board of Regents voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Frankfort to execute a deed to transfer property over to the city.

According to a history of the trail provided by the city, Frankfort officials began pursuing the conversion of the defunct Pinsley rail line into a hiking/walking trail in 2006.  The initial grant application was denied due to a high volume of funding requests, but city officials were encouraged to keep trying.

Following the initial application process, Walk/Bike Frankfort was formed to promote non-vehicular traffic in Frankfort and determine priorities for connecting the city.

In 2011, city officials applied for recreational trails funding for the purchase of the rail line.

“Kentucky State University was instrumental in the application and grant process, submitting a letter of support from then-president Dr. Mary Evans Sias, indicating a portion of the trail would be built on Kentucky State property and that the University would work closely with the city,” the city’s historical account of the project stated.

In 2012, the city purchased a portion of the trail and began preliminary design.

In 2013, with the University’s support, the city secured a grant to build the trail from downtown Frankfort to Kentucky State and on to East Main Street.

The City of Frankfort was able to purchase the final section of the trail in 2015. The final stages of the bid process are underway.