In January 2013, a team was selected by the state of Kentucky to conduct a study and develop a plan “to develop a network of interconnecting nonmotorized trails connecting Eastern Kentucky communities, state parks, federal recreation properties and forest lands” that, in the end, “will create additional jobs and stimulate economic growth and development through adventure tourism related opportunities”. Primary sites included Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park and the City of Buckhorn in Perry County KY, and USACE Trace Branch Campground in Leslie County.

The Team selected were Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers, Inc (V&M), Carol R. Johnson Associates, Inc (CRJA) – an award-winning landscape architectural design and environmental planning firm, We Make Things Happen Corporation (WMTH) – a DBE Economic Development firm that specializes in adventure tourism feasibility studies and creating public/private partnerships, and Managed Adventure Systems (MAS) who have a vast experience of both developing and rehabilitating hundreds of miles of trails plus a strong background in backwoods rescues. Over a six month period the Team worked together to develop the plan which is provided below in its entirety.