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ORCA & The Baileys In the Press
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April 9, 2026: Mayor explains unilateral decision to remove Athens from ORCA
At Athens City Council’s meeting on Monday, Mayor Steve Patterson elaborated on his March 31 decision to immediately resign from the board of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia — and to remove the city from the council of governments effective June 28.
March 31, 2026: Ohio’s $20 Billion Outdoor Boom: Columbus Parks Rush To Cash In
Ohio’s outdoor recreation scene is not just about kayaks and campfires anymore. It is a full-blown economic force, generating roughly $20 billion in 2024 and supporting more than 150,000 workers across the state. From boat ramps to backcountry trails, outdoor amenities are now serious business for local jobs, wages and tourism dollars.
March 31, 2026: Outdoor recreation made Ohio $20 billion in 2024
Outdoor recreation in parks, on waterways and elsewhere made Ohio $20 billion in 2024, and represents an increasingly large percentage of our state GDP.
April 2, 2026: Athens mayor resigns from outdoor rec council
Athens Mayor Steve Patterson withdrew the city from the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia effective June 28, and resigned from the ORCA board immediately as of March 31.
March 19, 2026: New Baileys trailhead under construction
A new trailhead for the Baileys Trail System is under construction in Buchtel and will likely open this summer.
March 13, 2026: 5 of the best mountain bike trails in Ohio
From the rolling hills of Appalachia to Columbus' backyard, Ohio's mountain bike trail scene has exploded — and these five systems prove the Buckeye State is one of the most exciting places to ride in the Midwest right now.
October 23, 2025: Making the best use of our best resources
Gwynn Stewart speaks during a Lunch and Learn Series event about Outdoor Recreation
October 20, 2025: Hocking College Nature Center hosts wildlife education event in honor of new book
On Saturday, the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) and the Wayne National Forest held a free wildlife education event at Hocking College Nature Center.
The event was held to celebrate the launch of “Kit the Keystone,” a new children’s chapter book by author Jess Leibson.
The event was held to celebrate the launch of “Kit the Keystone,” a new children’s chapter book by author Jess Leibson.
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