The Hopkinsville City Council yesterday approved funding of phase one of their Rails-to-Trails Project. The council passed the measure to bring a recreational trail for walkers, runners and cyclists as an amendment to next year’s budget.
The city is expected to come under budget this year and voted to allocate $932,748 from the general fund and $102,275 from private donations to begin the first phase of construction. Mayor Dan Kemp said he’s pleased and feels positive about the amendment’s second reading June 18th. Kemp said he wants to start construction as soon as possible so the trail can be completed by Thanksgiving.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. directed at transforming former railways into trails in order to build healthier places and healthier people, according to their website.