The recent Kentucky Extension Service Community Needs Assessment indicates that more community parks and greenspaces is a priority to Campbell County residents.  A meeting with the Fort Thomas Parks and Recreation Department on program collaboration reveled and opportunity to encourage walking, hiking, and exploration in our communities.  A committee of the Extension Environmental Advisory Council was formed by the Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Members include 11 parks and recreation directors and land managers. Four meeting were held from February 2019 to February 2020 to create, market, and evaluate the Campbell County Trail Passport Project.

A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist was utilized from Planning and Development Service to create and standardize 18 trail maps feature 40 miles of walking and hiking trails in Newport, Bellevue, Southgate, Wilder, Highland Heights, Cold Spring, Fort Thomas, Alexandria, Melbourne, and the unincorporated county. A website was created for the project (https://campbell.ca.uky.edu/content/campbell-county-trails-passport-project) and includes trail maps, links to city websites, and a Qualtrics survey where participants can record information about their experience.  To date, the survey indicates that the majority of hikers are over 56 years old although children under the age of 15 accompanied about half of the hikers. They are spending at least 30 minute and up to 2 hours on the trails, hiking anywhere from less than a mile to up to 3 miles.  Walkers are indicating physical activity, mental wellness, and exploration of new areas are their reasons for participating in the Campbell County Trail Passport Project.  All reported feeling better than before the experience after walking the trails.

A new article was published in the Recorder Newspapers (circulation: 17,000) on January 23, 2020 about the project.  The March 2020 edition of Discover Extension (our county newsletter that is delivered to every household and business in the county, distribution – 44,000) featured an article about it.  Most recently during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ft. Thomas Living Magazine featured and article about the project in the April 2020 edition and online that reached 26,434 people. Title: Campbell County Trail Passport Project is the perfect way to practice social distancing while trying to figure out different outdoor activities.