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Oldham County Day, July 18, 2009

July 19, 2009

Phase One of the Commerce Parkway Greenways Trails Open

Phase Two Construction has Started

The Phase One Commerce Parkway Bike and Pedestrian Trail ribbon cutting/ground breaking ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 24 at 5 p.m. Oldham County Government, the City of LaGrange, and Greenways for Oldham County participated in the joint ribbon cutting ceremony.

The first phase (1.2 miles) of the Commerce Parkway Trail provides a safe and scenic 1.2 mile route from the vicinity of the Oldham Eight Plaza and Oldham County Public Library to Allen Lane. Currently signage and safety fencing is in place and landscaping will be added later to complete all plans for Phase One.

The second phase (1.8 miles) of the Commerce Parkway Trail is currently under construction and should be completed this fall. This segment will run from Allen Lane to Hwy 392, providing 3 miles of bike and pedestrian trails for the county.

A jogger takes advantage of the complete 1.2 mile Phase One segment on July 18

Phase Two Construction as of July 18. This photograph was taken near Hwy 393 looking East

June 6, 2009

Commerce Parkway Bike and Pedestrian Mixed Use Trail

Ribbon Cutting Set for June 24

A walker tests the new trail surface on Saturday, June 6. Contractors are putting the final
touches on the Commerce Parkway Phase 1 trail section, to include backfilling and land-
scaping. A wet and rainy winter and spring forced delays to the project, but the wait will
be worth it.

Imagine a safe, paved multiuse trail in Oldham County to walk, jog, or teach your child how to ride a bike safely....a dream for too many years, but that dream will turn into reality on June 24th when the first 1.2 mile section of the Commerce Parkway Bike and Pedestrian Trail is officially open for business.

The ribbon-cutting/ground breaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the Commerce Parkway Bike and Pedestrian Trail has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th at 5 p.m. on the Commerce Parkway trails near the intersection of Allen Lane and Commerce Parkway. Parking is available across the street at the Oldham County Health Department located at 1786 Commerce Parkway. Greenways for Oldham County will be a co-sponsor of the event. The ceremony is open to the public.

Phase 1 of the project is a 1.2 mile section from the vicinity of the Oldham 8 Plaza to Allen Lane along Commerce Parkway. Phase 2 will extend the trail westward from Allen Lane to Hwy 393 in the Buckner Area and will result in a 3.2 mile safe, multiuse trail that will eventually connect LaGrange and Pewee Valley.

Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner, a long-time supporter of trails and Greenways for Oldham County has his walking stick ready for the ribbon cutting on June 24th at 5:00 at Commerce Parkway and Allen Lane

Phase 2 of the Commerce Parkway Trail has been funded and the contract bid awarded. Work should begin in late June or early July with a fall 2009 completion.

Oldham Ahead has supported the joint Oldham County, City of LaGrange, and Greenways for Oldham County effort to fund and construct this important quality of life enhancement to the county.

Pictures of the trail, taken on June 6 as it nears completion, are shown below.

Update: March 8, 2009

Greenways for Oldham County to Build Upon 2008 Successes

Greenways for Oldham County, in collaboration with Oldham County government and the City of LaGrange, experienced significant successes in 2008 which are carrying over to 2009 and will result in the completion of several projects that have been planned for years. Key successes in 2008 include:

The start and completion of phase one multiuse trails in Wendell Moore Park in Buckner (about 1.5 miles)

The commencement of phase one (1.2 miles) of the Commerce Parkway 3-mile multiuse trail in September

Kentucky Avenue trail construction and improvements in LaGrange

2009 County, City, and Greenway Plans Include:

Completion of phases two and three of the Wendell Moore Park project which will result in trail connectivity from the Oldham County Senior Center to the Oldham County aquatic center and on to in-place loops in the southern section of the park.

Completion of the 1.2-mile Phase 1 paved multiuse trail along Commerce Parkway (from Oldham 8 Plaza to Allen Lane) in June 2009

Phase 2 of the Interurban Greenway (From Allen Lane to Hwy 393): Funding for this phase is now in place ($500,000 federal funds and $125,000 local match funds). Engineering/design on this two-mile section has been completed. The county government has let the contract and construction should begin in late June or early July of 2009 with a fall completion date.

Safe Route to Schools sidewalks and trails in and around the North Oldham school campus in Goshen.

Interurban Greenway bridge over I-71: Applications for the Economic Stimulus funds have been filed. If approved, Oldham County will receive approximately $800,000 (no local match required) to build a bike/pedestrian bridge over I-71.

Phase 6 of the Interurban Greenway (the section in the City of Crestwood): Applications for Economic Stimulus funds have been filed with a total project cost of $350,000. This project will provide 1.5 mile of sidewalks in the city of Crestwood along Hwy 146.

A couple of other sidewalk/trail projects have also been submitted for the Economic Stimulus funds.

South Oldham Safe Routes to School grant application will be filed by the end to this month for the South Oldham School campus which includes sidewalks and trails near the school campus.

The momentum gained for trails and greenways in Oldham County the past couple of years is due to the collaboration between Greenways for Oldham County; the Oldham County Planning and Development staff, the Oldham County Parks and Recreation staff, and Fiscal Court; the cities of LaGrange and Crestwood; and Oldham County Board of Education.
Additionally, the Oldham County Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan, which was approved March 25, 2008 has positioned the county for the receipt of routine grants as well as federal stimulus funding. The plan lays out recommended routes and priorities which directly contribute to the county's and Greenways for Oldham County successes in funding trails project for the benefit of Oldham County citizens.

Your support of Greenways for Oldham County is essential to maintain the momentum and results gained and expected
over the next few years. Join today!

Adopt a Bench Today and help fund Wendell Moore Park
Trail Construction.

January, 2009

Norton Healthcare Makes $20,000 Contribution to
the Wendell Moore Park Senior Center Loop Project

Norton Healthcare has contributed $20,000 towards the construction of the planned Wendell Moore Park Senior Center loop phase of the Wendell Moore Park recreation trails project spearheaded by Greenways for Oldham County. Construction, which will include the rehabilitation of an existing trail and the extension of the trail to the Oldham County Aquatic Center is programmed for construction in late Spring of 2009.

The Board and Members of Greenways for Oldham County would like to express our gratitude for Norton Healthcare's generosity and commitment to health and fitness in Oldham County.

We invite you to try-out and use the Wendell Moore Park trails

Scenes from November 4

Greenways for Oldham County and the Oldham County Government have completed phase one of a new trail system within the county's Wendell Moore Park in Buckner. The Oldham County Road Department commenced construction on July 22, 2008 and completed work in late August. Volunteers installed benches and waste receptacles in early November. Three loops are in place measuring one-mile, 1/2-mile, and 1/4 mile.

A connecting trail along Reformatory Lake to the vicinity of the Aquatic Center parking lot has been staked to prepare for construction in 2009. Click here to take a virtual tour of the connecting trail.

Additionally, Greenways is working with the county to plan and construct a Senior Center loop in 2009 which will complete the bulk of the trail network within Wendell Moore Park. Norton Healthcare made a generous $20,000 donation towards this effort in December 2008.

The project represents a collaborative effort among Greenways for Oldham County; the Oldham County Parks and Recreation Department; the Oldham County Road Department; Scott-Klausing Company; Garber-Chilton Engineering, Oldham County Eagle Scouts; and Oldham County Stone, and two Eagle Scouts who are planning to construct a footbridge and gazebo respectively, to enhance the trail system. Eric Hollander is going to plan and construct a footbridge needed to connect the trails under construction to a new trail along the lake to the Aquatic Center area. Andrew Tincher has volunteered to plan and construct a gazebo in the vicinity of the trail common start point to enhance the park area. Contact us at info@oldhamgreenways.org if you would like to donate materials or provide other support to Eric or Andrew, would like to make other contributions to the trail network.

When construction is completed in mid-2009, nearly 3.35 miles miles of crushed stone trails will be in place in the scenic Wendell Moore Park to provide safe walking, jogging and cycling opportunities for Oldham County citizens. The Wendell Moore Park trails will serve as a destination along the planned Interurban Greenways "backbone" trail, which includes the Commerce Parkway trail currently under construction and the planned mixed used trail along the planned reconstructed KY 393 highway which will link Commerce Parkway trails to the Wendell Moore Park trails.

Greenways for Oldham County is providing the bulk of the funding for the project with the county's Parks and Recreation Department and the county's Road Department providing equipment and manpower to construct the trails.

Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner addresses to groundbreaking crowd (left); Greenways for Oldham County President Dr. Ashli Collins (above) emphasizes cooperation between the county, Greenways, and private companies to make the trails a reality.

Among the attendees at the groundbreaking for the Wendell Moore Park trails in July 2008 were State Senator Ernie Harris; Congressman's Geoff Davis' local representative Christina Poole; Magistrates Steve Greenwell and David Voegele; and Deputy Judge-Executive Paul Gish. Nearly 70 people attended the picnic preceding the groundbreaking and most stayed to observe the actual groundbreaking ceremony. Additionally, many of the attendees walked portions of the trails which are staked for construction, which will likely begin this month.

Local Business and Organization Support: Several local businesses and organizations are providing support and/or in-kind services and product donations to make this trail happen. They include Scott-Klausing and Company which is providing project management and design services; Garber-Chilton Engineers & Land Surveyors, which is providing the engineering and surveying support; and Oldham County Stone, which is providing the crushed stone at a discount in support of the project, and Oldham Ahead. We are coordinating support from other businesses and organizations and welcome additional support and participation to address amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, landscaping, to add to the overall project.

Adopt-a-Bench Program: Greenways for Oldham County has initiated an "Adopt a Bench" fundraising program that will result in the placement of high-quality, low maintenance benches throughout the trail and park area. Proceeds from the effort will also go towards construction costs and the procurement of other park amenities. Contributions are tax deductable.

Download the Adopt-a-Bench Forms and sign-up today!

View Donors to the Adopt-A-Bench Program

Two foot bridges will also need to be funded and constructed in the future to achieve the final design of the trail network.

The "Southern Loop" section of the Wendell Moore Park trail network will include an existing rudimentary trail that will be upgraded and lengthened to provide a high-quality multi-use trail. The completed project will result in three measured, multi-use trail areas of ¼ mile, ½ mile and one mile length. These trails overlap each at a common starting point. The new trails will be constructed of crushed limestone, be 10-feet wide and available for walking, jogging, and bike riding. The trails will also provide emergency vehicles access into this area of the park. A cross country trail segment that will measure one mile in length.

The project will also link the new trails to the nearest parking area in the park and to the parking areas near the community pool and picnic areas.

Read the Oldham Era Story on the Groundbreaking

Read Helen's McKinney's story in the August Edition of RoundAbout

More Great Trails News for Oldham County:

Commerce Parkway Multi-Use Trails Phase 1 Construction Has Commenced

Over a Mile Under Construction to be Complete This Spring

Phase 2 Engineering in Funding in Place for Construction this Spring

Read the Courier-Journal Story from November 19

Pictures from November 25

Construction has progressed past the Baptist Church on Commerce Parkway

Stone is in place to prepare for 10-foot wide asphalt surface. The contractor is preparing trail construction towards the new library above.

Construction as of November 4

Oldham County Government received an agreement from the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the release of a grant totaling $625,000 ($500,000 federal funds with $125,000 in local matching funding from sources to include Greenways for Oldham County). The funds are being used for multi-use trails along Commerce Parkway. The Oldham County Planning and Development Office has been spearheading this effort for the past several years and the county and construction has started on Phase 1 which will generally run from the Oldham 8 Theater vicinity to Allen Lane along Commerce Parkway.

The Oldham County Fiscal Court approved a resolution to accept the agreement on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. During the Fiscal Court meeting, the court also recognized the contributions that Greenways for Oldham County has made in this and other projects. Greenways for Oldham County will provide $49,150 toward the local match requirement.

In addition to the contribution that the Greenways Board approved, the City of LaGrange has agreed to provide the asphalt needs (valued more than $40,000) for the portion of trails in the city.

Fiscal Court awarded the contract for the trails in September and construction began near Allen Lane proceeding east in mid October. Weather has delayed construction to some extent in December 2008. Construction of Phase 1 of the project should be completed by late February or early March 2009 if everything goes smoothly. The Planning and Development Office anticipates that Phase 2 may commence in the Spring of 2009 which will extend the multi-use trails from Allen Lane to Hwy 393.

The new Oldham County Library that opened on January 11, 2009 includes a trail link from the library to the area where the Commerce Parkway will be constructed, and will serve as a connector to the new trails once the Commerce Parkway trail Phase 1 is completed later this year.

Greenways for Oldham County would like to thank the Oldham County Planning and Development Office for their work to secure the grant. Special thanks go to Emily Liu in securing the grant and coordinating local matches.

Below are pictures of the construction as of November 4, 2008:

Below are pictures of the construction progress as of October 28, 2008.

Construction is starting near Allen Lane

View of trail looking east from Allen Lane

View of trail construction progress about 1,000 feet east of Allen Lane

View of trail as it progresses towards the City of LaGrange

View of trail looking west towards Allen Lane

A trail from the new library under construction will link to the Commerce Parkway trails once construction is completed

December 22, 2008

Crestwood Sidewalk Projects in the Works

Walking or jogging within the city of Crestwood can be problematic and dangerous. Oldham County and Crestwood are partnering on two sidewalk projects to address the
issue.

These projects are funded by 2008 and 2009 grants. The county will receive $30,000 for each year totaling $60,000. A $15,000 match is required for the grant. The city of Crestwood will pay the match plus any additional costs.

Project Description:

Highway 22 Sidewalk

A new sidewalk is proposed along the north side of Hwy 22 through Crestwood.

The length of the new sidewalk will total approximately 1,400 linear feet of 5 feet wide sidewalks along Hwy 22.

The alignment will span approximately 1800 feet along the north side of Hwy 22.

The west end of the sidewalk will tie into existing sidewalk located at the new Walgreens at the corner of Hwy 22 and Hwy 329.

The east end of the sidewalk will tie into the existing sidewalk neat the CVS at the 329 Bypass.

The completed project will extend a sidewalk from Hwy 329 to the 329 Bypass

Highway 146 Sidewalk

The proposed sidewalk will replace an existing, deteriorated 3 foot wide sidewalk.

The length is approximately 400 linear feet of 5 foot wide sidewalk along Hwy 146.

The sidewalk will begin at the intersection of Floydsburg Road and span east in front of the Crestwood Art Center and tie into the relocated sidewalk in front of the new Crestwood Elementary.

The new sidewalk will be placed further from the road than the existing sidewalk.

For additional information, contact the Oldham County Planning and Development Office at (502) 222-1476

January 2009

Safe Routes to School Project Planned for the North Oldham Schools Campus

Oldham County government has received a Safe Routes to School grant for the construction of sidewalks and a short connecting trail in and around the North Oldham Campus in Goshen. Construction is expected to start sometime in 2009, beginning with the engineering phase of the project. Below is a map of the proposed sidewalks and trails which will link the Goshen library and Creasey-Mahan park to the schools along KY 1793 and provide a safe route for neighborhood children and parents to walk and ride their bikes to school.

Download a Project Map

Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan