EAST FORK STATE PARK
Clermont County, Ohio
CORA, in partnership with Clermont County, is excited to have received an Appalachian Community Grant from Governor DeWine’s Office of Appalachia. This grant allows us to develop a comprehensive plan for trail updates at East Fork, with priorities focused on enhancing user experiences and creating sustainable, low-maintenance pathways that reduce erosion. Over the past several months, CORA has worked closely with ODNR, the Clermont County Port Authority, CT Consultants, and ORCA (the organization behind the Bailey’s Trail network in Athens, Ohio) to bring a new and exciting trail concept to East Fork State Park. Following a recent meeting, we’re moving closer to the planning phase for a project two years in the making.
So far, we’ve been approved for technical assistance planning funding through the Appalachian Community Grant Program’s multi-step selection process, and we’re optimistic that this plan will soon come to fruition. In addition to supporting the health and wellness of the community, it will encourage outdoor activity on the east side of Greater Cincinnati, contributing to local tourism and investment.
ODNR and CORA also have trail plans in place from Kay-Linn Trail Design for a gravity park near the campgrounds. While the project has not yet secured implementation funding, the Army Corps is actively studying the area for trail development. This progress is part of a broader 18-county partnership with ORCA, whose vision is to expand recreational opportunities within Appalachian Ohio and foster a diverse, resilient, and prosperous rural economy. We are currently awaiting approval to proceed with Appalachian Community Grant Technical Assistance funds to connect the south side of the lake with the dam, the Williamsburg-Batavia Bike Hike Trail, and the proposed campground trails.