Imagine a pedestrian trail that connects downtown Lexington with the Bluegrass countryside. A trail that takes you from the urban core into Kentucky's cherished agricultural landscape. You will visit limestone springs, early distilleries, and discover Lexington's historic waterway, Town Branch of the Elkhorn.
Contribute to Town Branch Trail, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Our 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 $7.5 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.
Read a timeline of Town Branch Trail development in our News section.
