The 2019 Health Ranks revealed Kentucky is the most inactive state in the nation with 34.4 percent of the population not getting enough physical activity.  Unfortunately, this has been an issue for many years and efforts have been underway for an extended period of time to provide built environments for safe opportunities to be physically active.  One effort is the Buttermilk Falls Walking Trail.  The Covid-19 pandemic recommendations have moved families from inside to outside and as a result, the trail has been heavily utilized.  In a study commissioned by Meade County Tourism, over 59,000 people utilized the trail between April and October.  Facebook posts from families in Lexington and Louisville indicated they had used the trail to spend the day walking, picnicking, and playing in the streams along the trail deeming it a day trip destination. 

 One of the common needs voiced by families using the trail is a shaded area for a picnic and a nature play area to allow an outdoor experience for their family.  The trail has a perfect location and had been a future goal of the committee.  With increased use and multiple requests, the area is currently being developed through the Buttermilk Falls Trail committee.  The FCS agent along with an extension volunteer leader, both members of the trail committee, are leading efforts for design and construction.  The location will allow safe distancing and will feature areas for safe water exploration, handicap accessibility, and physical activity. A portion of the area will be dedicated in memory of Judge-Executive Gerry Lynn who passed away in August.  Judge Lynn was instrumental in the expansion of the trial. Over $15,000 was received in three months which covered the cost of 2 ADA accessible picnic tables, 4 additional picnic tables, 4 benches, and all the other materials related to building the park with volunteer labor.   The development began in January and was completed by the dedication date of May 20.  A public event was held to open the area with over 200 people attending, several of whom had never been on the trail. The extension service plans to use the area to teach educational programs to promote family bonding, nutrition, and physical activity.  

Meade County is a pilot county for the Health and Wellness Ambassador program.  As the volunteers are trained, we anticipate more education in this area.  One of which will be a weekly walking club that will be led by the ambassador who will present information from the extension service on health and wellness.  

In addition to trail usage, general exercise has been promoted.  Several Extension Program to Go programs have focused on nutrition and physical activity.  Pedometers were included in bags during one activity and a participant contacted me to share she had tripled her activity level as a result of the pedometer and information in the bag.  She stated she felt better and did not realize how sedentary she had become until she started tracking numbers.