Draft:Baileys Trail System

The Baileys Trail System, located in Chauncey, Ohio will be an 88-mile mountain bike optimized system upon completion. The mission of the Baileys Trail System is to integrate conservation, outdoor recreation, and economic development to strengthen and inspire communities in Southeast Ohio. This system, located in Ohio’s only National Forest in Athens county, currently has direct community connections to Chauncey and Doanville, and a future connection to the Village of Buchtel is soon to be under construction.

History
The roots of the Baileys Trail System date back to 1993 when a group of recreation stakeholders recommended a 16 mile “Bailey Run” mountain bike trail to the Wayne National Forest. The idea resurfaced sporadically over the years, until it finally gained steam in January 2016. The latest iteration of this project idea brought Forest Service staff together with bike club members, local governments, planning and health departments, agencies and nonprofits, land managers, higher education tourism and business stakeholders, and citizens to the planning table.

In May 2017, the first version of the Baileys Trail System Master Plan was released; in November 2017, the Baileys was selected as the first National Forest outdoor recreation conservation finance pilot project; and in December 2017, the Wayne National Forest approved the development of an 88-mile single-track trail system for mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers of all skill levels.

The grassroots community-based collaborative planning efforts of the Baileys Trail System project highlighted the mutually beneficial economic, social, environmental, and healthy lifestyle opportunities sustainable development of a recreation asset brings to rural areas. It is that realization which prompted the creation of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) council of governments in May of 2019.

Funding
Jurisdictions pay or donate in-kind membership dues, based on population density to sustain ORCA’s work developing and managing the Baileys Trail System. Baileys Trail System Sponsors and Grantors have invested more than $100,000 in development of the Baileys Trail System. Social enterprises are made possible by an impact investment of $200,000 from the Athens County Foundation. Partners collaborate on projects in and related to the Baileys and ORCA’s regional efforts to sustain the Baileys and deliver social, economic, environmental, and health benefits to Appalachian Ohio communities.