Ohio River Recreation Trail

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit River CityPaddlesports,  a community nonprofit on Louisville's waterfront reengaging all of us through paddlesport programs on the Ohio River and its tributaries.   We are seeking support for school and community water-based adventures.   Trips include Beargrass Creek Explorations, Mindful Mondays, The Mayor's Hike Bike and Paddle, and the Beargrass and Waterfront Naturalist Program.  If there is water deep enough in Metro Louisville to float a boat,  we are there.    Our goals are to increase access, safety, and awareness of the value of CLEAN URBAN waterways.   

We are currently partnering with other paddlers and cyclists in an effort to establish and dedicate a nationally recognized Ohio River Recreation Trail from Portsmouth, Ohio to Louisville KY, 274 miles on the Ohio River.    The Ohio River Recreation Trail. 
From June 1st to June 9th,  up to 30 adventure seeking folks will paddle the entire 274 miles in 9 days stopping and camping at Vanceburg, Manchester, Augusta, Thomas More, Cincinnati, Rising Sun, Vevay and Westport.   The adventure crew will arrive in Louisville on Sunday Afternoon on June 9. 
 
The purpose of the Voayger Canoe and Cycle trip is to support the work of establishing and dedicating The Ohio River Recreational Trail with the National Park Service.     The trail's website describes the work in greater detail. 
 
Our trip, reminiscent of the 1826 Boatload of Knowledge  will collect stories, photos, and data for the Ohio River Digital Guide.  We will celebrate the  27 river towns and enjoy miles of unspoiled nature.     We will inspire others to recreate and reengage with the Ohio River.

The Go Fund Me will provide funds for River City Paddle Sports to continue the work with engaging with Ohio River, Beargrass Creek though paddle sports as well as the day to day support for the Ohio River Recreational Trail. 

The trip is 274 miles long. If you could commit to giving so much per mile that would be very helpful. thank you in advance for any donations you make.    All donors will be able to follow us as we proceed down the river on our facebook page  and Instagram account.

Specific River City Paddle Sports Programs that your donated funds will be used for:  

* Beargrass and Waterfront Naturalists:   High School Students are given a stipend to be a naturalist on the Beargrass Creek and waterfront Voyaguer environmental education programs.   Using Salt River Watershed Watch Monitoring protocols, they teach the visiting groups about the water quality of our area streams.  
* The Voyageur Canoes and Trailers:     The four thirty foot long voyageur canoes, two double-deck trailers, and the associated PFDs and paddles require constant maintenance. 
* Interpretative signage and displays for the Community Boat House and area river festivals.    River City Paddle Sports are assembling a large collection of maps and photo that explain the geography, history and environmental concerns of the Ohio River and its tributaries. 
* The Community Boat House:   River City Paddle Sports helps maintain the community boathouse, we are exploring upgrading the dock and increasing the boat storage and meeting room capacity of the center on Louisville's Waterfront. 


River City Paddlesports, a 501(c)(3) organization, is serving as the nonprofit fiscal agent of the Ohio River Recreation Trail as our organizers work toward establishing an independent nonprofit. River City Paddlesports maintains a separate account for funds designated for the development of the Ohio River Recreation Trail. 

On Sunday, June 9th,  2 pm there will be an arrival celebration of the Ohio River Recreation Trail Voyageur Canoe Adventure.  Join us for good food,  good drink, good ideas, and good talk at the Community Boat House on Louisville's waterfront! 

We wish to thank you for your concern about Ohio River, Beargrass Creek and the recreational access to it.     We also wish to thank you in advance for any donation you can make.