Making Waves: Kentucky's New Effort to Transform the Ohio River into a Hub for Recreation
From left to right: Mayor Deborah Cotteril, Rep. Ken Fleming, and the Ohio River Way’s Mark Noll speaking at Kentucky’s Capitol.
Kentucky communities along the Ohio River are poised to have a new champion in their corner. A soon-to-be established state authority — the Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreation Authority (KORRRA) — is making a splash with its mission to grow adventure tourism and improve the quality of life for folks who live along the river.
House Bill 712, creating a framework for KORRRA, was passed by the General Assembly in the 2024 legislative session and signed by Governor Andy Beshear last week. KORRRA will be charged with developing a system of land and water trails “to increase economic development, tourism, and outdoor recreation.”
Once the law takes effect July 1, 2024, there’s one final hurdle: Eleven of the 25 counties that form Kentucky’s shoreline with the Ohio River must pass resolutions joining KORRRA.
Advocacy for KORRRA’s creation was spearheaded by the Ohio River Way, a regional nonprofit representing a coalition of communities throughout Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana partnering to enhance opportunities for river recreation.
“Having a trail that will go on the waterway as well as on the ground provides a real interesting dynamic,” explained Representative Ken Fleming, lead sponsor of the legislation. He likened the opportunity here to the growth of the Appalachian Trail. For paddlers, a similar boon has been seen on the Mississippi River. As Fleming explained, “This enhances our community connectivity, draws people from around the region, and propels economic activity while showcasing what makes Kentucky so unique and special.”
The idea for the authority was the brainchild of Dr. David Wicks, Vice Chair of the Ohio River Way and a life-long champion of paddlesports and environmental education. “Folks think we need to go far-and-wide to find wilderness adventures. But the magic of the Ohio is right in our backyards,” explained Wicks. “We’re working to put it on the map and make it accessible to all.”
Mayor Debra Cotterill of Maysville, Kentucky, traveled to Frankfort to speak in favor of the legislation. “We have several projects going on in Maysville right now all connected to the river, including river front development. I think this authority would help not only Maysville but all of the towns along the river.”
Paddlers out enjoying the Ohio River Way near the Salt River’s confluence with the Ohio River at West Point, Kentucky.
Modeled after the Mountain Regional Recreation Authority in Eastern Kentucky, KORRRA will be housed in the Department for Local Government. Voting members of the authority will include participating counties as well as representatives of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, the Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, and the Department for Local Government.
Counties touching the Ohio River will be eligible and encouraged to join KORRA by adopting a resolution or ordinance and then contacting the Department for Local Government. The eligible counties are Ballard, Boone, Boyd, Bracken, Breckinridge, Campbell, Carroll, Crittenden, Daviess, Gallatin, Greenup, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Jefferson, Kenton, Lewis, Livingston, Mason, McCracken, Meade, Oldham, Pendleton, Trimble and Union.
“This is just the beginning,” explained Mark Noll, Executive Director of the Ohio River Way. “This authority provides a new avenue for Kentucky to keep pace with the great progress on trail development and riverfront enhancements we have seen in Indiana and Ohio. We are thrilled by the overwhelming support of this initiative that will bring quality of life and economic development benefits to Kentucky's river communities.”
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You can find the Ohio River Way’s press kit here.