Stonehouse Trail, Camp Springs, Kentucky

Debbie Buckley, Project Manager
859-448-9020


August 15, 2005

Dear Camp Springs Neighbors and Friends --

With a little luck, focus and determination, it’s possible we could have our own community bicycle and walking trail, along with a new park, a recreation center and a couple of covered bridges in Camp Springs. These things, if the community wants them, are all possible. These very special recreation sites would provide safe, life-supporting, healthy, local recreation for our children, seniors and families. These ammenities will also protect property values and help preserve our rural lifestyle in Camp Springs as they have in other communities.

Over the last few months we’ve been exploring these ideas. We’ve asked lots of questions and gathered information. We’ve talked to many helpful people in government and private industry. We have learned that state funds, federal grants and private monies are available for a project like this. The project has the support of local and state government agencies and many private businesses.

It all comes to this: The community -- residents and homeowners -- must decide if, where and how this project is built -- no one else. It is all voluntary. Each homeowner or land owner would decide if and where a trail might pass through, by or around their property. We are still gathering information and seeking opinions and suggestions from residents. We ask for everyone’s ideas, leadership and help. With all of us working as a community, we can create the perfect path, park, recreation center and bridges. Many families have already offered help, easements and volunteered support. A local structural designer has volunteered to do bridge design. To accomplish this project will require our community to work together and together go forward to pursue money and final approvals. We’ll have to work as a big team if we want to get the funds. Everyone counts.

The tentative map - a sketch based on resident suggestions - suggests a trail that passes by the 29 historic stone houses in Camp Springs. Covered bridges have been proposed for Lower Tug Fork and Four Mile, and up on Four Mile near Neltner’s Farm. A park and multi-use recreation center could go many places.

The general suggestion is to have a main paved trail somewhere along or near Four Mile creek. Where possible, the trail would be off the main road, for safety. It may need to be up on the ridges in places. Side "loops", of greater difficulty could be created on side roads like Lower Tug Fork, 9 Mile and so on.

The idea is to give local children and seniors and families a beautiful path past our historic stone houses, with pretty views of our community, and generally connect Camp Springs with Silver Grove and Melbourne. We are seeking land for a park. Recreation Center design ideas have started to come in, including ideas for a skateboard park and small ampitheater.

Many residents, businesses and government officials, including Campbell County’s Police, LaFarge, Montgomery Cyclery, Allynders Bed and Breakfast, Campbell County Fiscal Court Judge Executive Steve Pendery, OKI, and the Kentucky Department of Transportation, and others, have offered support and help for this project. We are very grateful. It’s up to all of us whether or not this happens.

To formally kick off this effort, we are planning a Stonehouse Trail Kick-Off Ride and Walk on Saturday, August 20 at 9:00 A.M., starting at the firehouse. Campbell County police will provide an escort from start to finish, and police bicyclists will be joining our ride. 500 people are expected. Bring a bike, horse, buggy, or your feet. It will be an approximately 4-mile round trip and officially launch our effort to create a community trail. This will be a day for children, seniors and your family and friends to experience a beautiful section of the proposed Trail. We plan to have a vehicle carry anyone who is unable to physically walk, run, or bike. We want everyone to be included!

Please join us in helping create the most beautiful biking and walking trail in the greater Cincinnati area and all of Kentucky.
Lastly, we are asking residents along Four Mile and Lower Tug to please contain your dogs on the morning of our Kick-Off. Also -- if you would display your flag, in honor of our Iraqi vets and families, that would be greatly appreciated.

We’re looking forward to seeing all of you!

Sincerely,

Debbie Buckley, 859-448-9020
Paul Schaefer, 859-635-2552


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