Author: shelbyparksfoundation

Serving a volunteer Executive Director of the Parks Foundation, Clay Cottongim is recognized in the October issue of Shelby Life as a CUB Bank’s outstanding community volunteer. In 2018 he logged more than 1000 volunteer hours including hands on labor and mowing at Shelby Trails. He has single handedly raised over $413,000 for Phase II and Phase III of the Greenway Trails. Clay challenges members of the community to join him in serving whether it is coaching youth sports, maintaining trails, teaching fitness classes, or special service projects. “Following your passion and get involved!”

An announcement was made in January that the Shelby County Parks Foundation needed $100,000 to match a Recreational Trails Program matching grant. The grant to be used for Phase 3 of the Greenway Trail. The community responded – $71,315 has been donated by individuals and businesses!

Volunteer consultant Clay Cottongim said six of the donations came from anonymous sources, ranging from $2,500 to $22,000. “Those really made the difference in our attempt to match the $100,000,” Cottongim said, quickly adding, however, “Yet all gifts are definitely appreciated – from $15 to $500.”

The Foundation needs to raise the remaining $30,000 so that bids can be issued for the project and break ground in May or June.

NOTE- Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Greenway Trail, c/o Parks Foundation, 717 Burks Branch Road, Shelbyville KY 40065. 

Shelby County Parks Foundation has received its third $100,000 Recreational Trails Program matching grant to continue the Greenway Trail project. Cash donations are now being sought to match the grant, which will fund Phase 3 of the trail that provides accessible paths along Clear Creek.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

Parks Foundation volunteers are now seeking tax-deductible donations to match the $100,000 grant. Checks can be sent to Shelby County Parks Foundation, 715 Burks Branch Rd, Shelbyville KY 40065, noting donation to Greenway Trail.

Note- Please see Greenway Trail link for details.

The Greenway Trail started with Phase I off North Seventh Street, across from the Serenity Center, traveling to the bridge at East Main. Now the trail, that did end at the bridge/Stratton Park loops back to Main Street underneath the East Washington bridge. The expansion was paid for by City of Shelbyville through the restaurant tax proceeds.

Foundation consultant Clay Cottongim acknowledges all those who have donated toward both phases, especially Barry Campbell for clearing both trails for blacktopping. Now planning begins for Phase III, with the ultimate goal having the Greenway Trail follow Clear Creek to Red Orchard Park on Kentucky Street.

Individuals wanting to help the Foundation can contact Cottongim at 502-321-0612 or send donations to Greenway Trail, c/o Parks Foundation, 717 Burks Branch Road, Shelbyville KY 40065.

Greenway Trail Phase II is now open to the public… hikers, bikers, walkers, runners, baby strollers, wheelchairs! The blacktopped trail along Clear Creek was funded by a $100,000 Federal Recreational Trails Grant and $100,000 in private donations to match the grant.

The recent third annual Parks Pedal Party lured 31 adult riders for either a 40-mile or 21-mile ride along county roads while another 11 rode bicycles within Clear Creek Park and neighborhood paths. Their donations totaled $2,000 to assist the continued Greenway Trail project through the Shelby County Parks Foundation.

Foundation consultant Clay Cottongim acknowledges all those who have donated toward both Phase I and II, especially Barry Campbell for clearing both trails for blacktopping. Now planning begins for Phase III, with the ultimate goal having the Greenway Trail follow Clear Creek to Red Orchard Park on Kentucky Street.

Individuals wanting to help the Foundation can contact Cottongim at 502-321-0612 or send donations to Greenway Trail, c/o Parks Foundation, 717 Burks Branch Road, Shelbyville KY 40065.

Merry Christmas from the Parks Foundation. Thanks to your continued support, we have been able to upgrade and maintain the many recreational projects that benefit our community. A great gift idea would be to make a donation in honor of a friend for the Greenway Trail, Shelby Trails, Red Orchard Park or the Foundation in general… Please send your tax-deductible gift to Parks Foundation, 717 Burks Branch Road, Shelbyville KY 40065. Thank you!

Santa Claus came early for the Shelby County Parks Foundation with an anonymous gift of $10,000 for Phase 2 of the Greenway Trail. That brings the total of private donations for this project to a little more than $113,000, according to Clay Cottongim, volunteer consultant to the Foundation.

“The trail has been cut, thanks to Barry Campbell who donated countless hours of excavation work and removing trees along the creek,” Cottongim said, referring to the trail that begins off North Seventh Street, on the left, after crossing the bridge. A community park will be established at the beginning of the Phase 2 trail, thanks to the donation of about 22 acres by Citizens Union Bank.

Plans are to blacktop the trail next summer and to construct bridge paths to connect Phase 1 with Phase 2 to existing trails to Brentwood Subdivision, Painted Stone Elementary and Lake Shelby.

Cottongim said, “The generous gift of $10,000 shows how much the community likes the concept of these trails for walkers, joggers, bike-riders, strollers and even wheelchairs!”

WOOFSTOCK 2018 will be September 15 with Anna Simpson as chairwoman. Stay tuned for details.