top of page
ORCA & The Baileys In the Press
Click Below to Learn More
April 23, 2026: Outdoor rec council moves forward after Athens’ withdrawal
Three of the four remaining governments represented on the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia Board of Directors met Wednesday night to discuss Baileys Trail System updates and moving forward in the absence of the City of Athens.
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.
October 3, 2025: Bikeway to connect Athens to Chauncey, Baileys Trail System
The Ohio Department of Transportation is nearing completion on a new bike path connecting the Hockhocking Adena bikeway to Chauncey, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 1, according to the ODOT District 10 Public Information Officer, Ashley Rittenhouse.
September 26, 2025: Ohio park services face job cuts, increasing future uncertainty
Ohio’s national and state public lands have recently been affected by cuts to budgets and staffing.
June 6th 2025: Trails under construction at Moonville and Nelsonville Music Festival
Updates on trail construction efforts connected to the Baileys Trail System, including work near Moonville and the Nelsonville Music Festival site.
May 31, 2025: Athens to host first Ohio recreation economy conference
The Ohio Outdoor Recreation Economy Conference in Athens will bring together local leaders, organizations, and community members to explore the intersection of outdoor recreation, economic development, public health, and environmental equity across Appalachian Ohio.
April 22, 2025: Trail maintenance ensures sustainable access to nature, Baileys
Ongoing care and sustainability of the Baileys Trail System depends on dedicated volunteers, strategic partnerships, and community collaboration to keep the trails safe, accessible, and environmentally healthy.
April 15, 2025: Mountain bike trail building and development are going platinum
"In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we’re going to be discussing some of the latest news and trends from the world of mountain bike trail development. A complete transcript is available below."
March 13, 2025: The Baileys Trail System in Ohio will be one of the largest MTB trail systems in the Eastern USA
Building an economic driver in the poorest part of Ohio
FEB 22, 2025: Your Baileys Trail System Update
Mountain biking season is just around the corner, and the Baileys Trail System continues to gain momentum, setting the standard for outdoor adventure in Southeast Ohio.
DECEMBER 4, 2024: Ross Asked to Become Bigger Member of Regional Outdoor Recreation Coalition
The county commissioners were invited to make Ross County a bigger participant in a regional recreational coalition.
Jessie Powers, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA), spoke in the October 28th commissioners meeting, asking Ross County to become the second major county participant in a nonprofit that leverages funding and planning for such pursuits as mountain biking.
Jessie Powers, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA), spoke in the October 28th commissioners meeting, asking Ross County to become the second major county participant in a nonprofit that leverages funding and planning for such pursuits as mountain biking.
OCTOBER 31, 2024: Commissioners split on outdoor rec council; city likely to renew support
A reduction in Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia membership fees has revived the question of 2024 support – but the county seems unlikely to pay amid budgetary and “personality” issues.
OCTOBER 22, 2024: Baileys Trail System works to expand trails
The Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia, or ORCA, announced a plan last year to build 88 new miles of trails in Bailey’s Trail System. As of today, 58 of the 88 miles have been completed.
OCTOBER 15, 2024: Baileys trail 'The Dirt Fondo' welcomes bikers, supports ORCA
Bailey’s Trail System hosted its second annual Dirt Fondo and Fundraiser Saturday at the Chauncey-Dover Trailhead in Millfield. The event brought in local businesses to showcase their products on and off the trails.
OCTOBER 4, 2024: ORR Hosts Forum on Rural Development Via Outdoor Rec.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), in collaboration with the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation, hosted its inaugural National Leadership Forum on Rural Development through Outdoor Recreation.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024: ORCA provides opportunity, access to region
While not to the scale of Bentonville, Athens and the surrounding area have also become a recreation hotspot in recent years thanks to the Baileys Trail System.
AUGUST 31, 2024: Wayne National Forest hosts Ecuadorian university students
NELSONVILLE — The Wayne National Forest hosted students and faculty from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador at the Baileys Trail System in Chauncey, Ohio, July 29 in collaboration with Ohio University (OU).
Eight students and two faculty members from OU’s Summer Training on Applied Research and Service-Learning (STARS) program conducted maintenance on the newly widened Coal Train Trail as part of a 10-day cultural exchange through the university’s Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI).
Eight students and two faculty members from OU’s Summer Training on Applied Research and Service-Learning (STARS) program conducted maintenance on the newly widened Coal Train Trail as part of a 10-day cultural exchange through the university’s Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI).
AUG. 28, 2024 Baileys Summer Trail Crew Provides Crucial Trail Maintenance and Jobs to Local Youth
“Circle up. Let’s go! We’ve got a big day ahead
of us.”
It’s a Monday in July and we’re standing on a
Wayne National Forest service access pull-off
just outside of Chauncey, Ohio. Chloe Partlow,
one of three Baileys Trail System summer crew
leaders, is encouraging a group of five local Athens County youth to get together for some
group stretching.
of us.”
It’s a Monday in July and we’re standing on a
Wayne National Forest service access pull-off
just outside of Chauncey, Ohio. Chloe Partlow,
one of three Baileys Trail System summer crew
leaders, is encouraging a group of five local Athens County youth to get together for some
group stretching.
bottom of page