Project and Organization
Town Branch Trail (TBT) is a proposed ‘shared-use’ greenway trail (paved route for pedestrians and bicyclists) that will connect Downtown Lexington with its world-famous equine landscape via area neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites as it follows the westward course of Lexington’s historic waterway, the Town Branch of Elkhorn Creek along whose banks Lexington was founded in 1779. The trail is a significant component of Lexington’s Greenway Masterplan, Downtown Masterplan, Downtown Streetscape Plan, and Newtown Pike Extension. TBT seeks to transform neglected or underutilized urban areas along our historic creek into a landscape trail that will serve among other things: recreation, commuting, the environment, tourism, and economic development.
Since 2001, Town Branch Trail, Inc., a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, has been advocating for this trail project, writing grants, and working to raise consensus within the community. In conjunction with LFUCG, TBT, Inc. has raised over $1 million in trail funds, $1 million in land donations, and has three miles of trail in design and construction. Currently we are partnering with the Manchester Development Company to create miles of trail through Lexington’s historic Bourbon Distillery District via TIF financing. We are also working with RJ Corman Railroad Group to pursue opportunities to build trails along rail lines that run through some of the prettiest land in the Bluegrass. We are also producing educational materials for our regional middle school classrooms to raise awareness of our rich history and our connection to our watershed. We are sustained by tax-deductible contributions. TBT, Inc. is managed by a board of directors and elected officers.
Trail Status
Phase I, the first mile of the trail, is now completed. Phase II, the second mile, has been bid and will be constructed over the next few months. Phase III of the trail, the next one mile section, has been funded, and in the coming months will be designed. We look to see construction begin in 2009. Phase IV and V are in the stage of feasibility study and conceptual design. See our latest map for how Phase V will dovetail with the Manchester Street Distillery District. For a closer look, go to McConnell’s Trace at Long Branch Rd. to see our first mile in place.
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View our new map of Phase V:
Phase V: Map and Description (1.8 meg PDF)
Latest News Two great downtown stories in the H-L recently
July 2, 2009
Dear Friends:
Over the last week the Lexington Herald-Leader has run a story and a c...
POSTED: 2 Jul 2009 at 2:50pm
Lexington could get back passenger rail along the Town Branch Trail!
6.28.09
Dear friends:
In the spring of 2007 Town Branch Trail, Inc. brought together a few archit...
POSTED: 28 Jun 2009 at 4:20pm
Town Branch Trail a top priority of Commerce Lexington
6.12.09
Dear Friends of Town Branch Trail,
I had a great opportunity to visit a world-class trail...
POSTED: 22 Jun 2009 at 12:22pm
Water Quality Fee a must to start fixing Lexington neglected waterways.
4.5.09
Friends,
Please make contact with your council person to support the Water Quality Fee up ...
POSTED: 5 May 2009 at 4:42pm
Town Branch Trail Spring Update
Dear Friends, 4.28.09
With horses racing and spring in the air, we are delighted to report that ...
POSTED: 28 Apr 2009 at 2:21pm
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