top of page
ORCA & The Baileys In the Press
Click Below to Learn More
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.
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).
JUNE 28, 2024: Grant will help improve the Baileys Trail System
The Athens-Wayne Outdoor Asset Development Corporation (AWOADC) nonprofit partner organization of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) received a $48,071 grant from the National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program, $42,701 of which will be spent on trail improvements for the Baileys Trail System in the Wayne National Forest.
APRIL 18, 2024: The Yonder Report
Rural Wyoming needs more vocational teachers to sustain its workforce pipeline, Ohio environmental advocates fear harm from a proposal to open 40-thousand forest acres to fracking and rural communities build bike trail systems to promote nature, boost the economy.
APRIL 18, 2024: Athens may approve recreation council membership, but lacks funds to pay
The council saw an ordinance to authorize the mayor to pay the $90,000 membership fee — when the money is available.
APRIL 17, 2024: Blazing Trails in the Mountains
Rural communities throughout the country are developing mountain biking trail systems to immerse people in nature, boost the economy, and create a local culture of health.
APRIL 17, 2024:Blazing trails in the mountains
Mountain bikers ride for the thrill. The joy of racing downhill. The feeling of choosing the best path, hugging the ground, catching some air.
APRIL 11, 2024: The Power of Place
Research and partnership that fuels prosperity, here and beyond
APRIL 7, 2024: City of Athens urged to Support ORCA
Dear Mayor Patterson, council members and local businesses,
We are writing to you as business owners to urge you to continue to support ORCA (Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia), which operates the Baileys Trail System, and their ongoing progress in getting funding and jobs in the areas of Athens, the Athens City School District, and Athens County.
We are writing to you as business owners to urge you to continue to support ORCA (Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia), which operates the Baileys Trail System, and their ongoing progress in getting funding and jobs in the areas of Athens, the Athens City School District, and Athens County.
APRIL 5, 2024: Ohio’s premiere mountain bike trail faces funding challenge
On a spring day in the Wayne National Forest, a crew of hard-hat clad volunteers pulls weeds, trims trees and clears branches from a winding dirt trail.
MARCH 26, 2024: Ohio University Partnership Offers Discounted Bikes on Campus
Thanks to a new partnership with the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA), Ohio University students and community members now have additional access to explore the natural beauty of the outdoors through biking.
MARCH 1, 2024: ORCA and partners receive federal grant to help 30 Appalachian communities
Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) is among several groups that will receive $387,500 to benefit 30 communities in Appalachian Pennsylvania and Ohio.
FEB. 28, 2024: Athens may adjust city code to continue funding Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
On Monday, Mayor Steve Patterson urged Athens City Council to consider changing city code regarding the city’s payment of its $90,000 membership dues for Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA).
FEB. 8, 2024: ORCA poised to add 27 miles of trail
This year is shaping up to be an exciting, busy year of construction for the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA), made possible by various funding sources and partnerships. ORCA and its nonprofit partner, the Athens-Wayne Outdoor Asset Development Corporation (AWOADC), will be managing four different construction projects in the Wayne National Forest at both the Athens and Marietta Units, in addition to ongoing projects. Projects include additional miles of trail at the Baileys Trail System, maintenance enhancements at the Baileys Trail System, and Trail Reroutes and Trailhead construction and improvements in the Marietta Unit.
JAN. 31, 2024: PA Wilds gets grant to work on mobile tourism app
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship has received a $387,500 grant to work with partners to research and plan a mobile app to promote tourism in the PA Wilds and in southeast Ohio.
JAN. 30, 2024: ORR Offers 2nd Edition of Rural Economic Development Toolkit
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released the second edition of its Rural Economic Development Toolkit on a webinar with over 1,000 registrants. This essential resource, built upon three years of extensive research across the United States, is a comprehensive guide for communities looking to strengthen their economies through outdoor recreation.
JAN. 30, 2024: ORCA and Ohio University partner to offer mountain bike rentals
Ohio University now offer mountain bike rentals to students and community members.
JAN. 19, 2024: County declines to renew ORCA commitment
The county believe it’s time for the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia to stand on its own.
ATHENS, Ohio — The organization that is developing the Baileys Trail System is at risk of losing nearly $200,000 in annual funding after the Athens County Commissioners opted not to continue its financial support this year.
OCT. 19, 2024:Hocking turns down request to join multi-county outdoor recreation group
LOGAN – Last month Jessie Powers, executive director of the Outdoor Recreational Council of Appalachia (ORCA) entreated the Hocking County commissioners to join an alliance to manage the growth of outdoor recreation and tourism across the region. At their most recent meeting, however, the commissioners voted against joining the group.
SEPT. 20, 203: Pelotonia launches new Gravel Day ride event in southeast Ohio
ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — Pelotonia held its first-ever Gravel Day ride event Saturday morning in southeast Ohio in their continued effort to raise money for life-saving cancer research.
Gravel Day introduced a more adventurous style of cycling to Pelotonia's portfolio of events as riders soared through miles of unpaved roads in Nelsonville.
Gravel Day introduced a more adventurous style of cycling to Pelotonia's portfolio of events as riders soared through miles of unpaved roads in Nelsonville.
AUG. 31, 2023: Community Based Internship Program provides students and local organizations with mutual benefits
Five OHIO students completed Community Based Internships over the summer through the Center for Campus and Community Engagement (CCCE).
Local organizations in the nonprofit and public sector spaces accepted these students as interns through the Community Based Internship Program for Summer 2023. The program focuses on providing students and organizations with internships that are mutually beneficial and leave a lasting positive impact on southeast Ohio.
Local organizations in the nonprofit and public sector spaces accepted these students as interns through the Community Based Internship Program for Summer 2023. The program focuses on providing students and organizations with internships that are mutually beneficial and leave a lasting positive impact on southeast Ohio.
JULY 27, 203: ORCA Announces Expansion
The Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) is excited to
announce Washington, Monroe, Noble, Jackson, Ross, and Vinton Counties and the City of Jackson haveresolved to join ORCA as Partners.
announce Washington, Monroe, Noble, Jackson, Ross, and Vinton Counties and the City of Jackson haveresolved to join ORCA as Partners.
JULY 18, 203: Ross County Asked to Join Southeast Ohio Trails Organization
Ross County – Ty McBee, president of “Chillicothe Trails,” spoke with the Ross County Commissioners Monday over having the county join a trails organization that is expanding from Athens County.
McBee said the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) has invited 16 Ohio counties to join with them as advisory members; four have accepted so far.
McBee said the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) has invited 16 Ohio counties to join with them as advisory members; four have accepted so far.
JULY 6, 2023: Jackson County partners with Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
JACKSON, Ohio (WSAZ) - There are plenty of natural wonders to enjoy in Jackson County, Ohio. Local residents enjoy lakes and trails throughout the county. Public officials would like to see more attention brought to those areas, and they have partnered with the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) to develop and promote outdoor tourism.
JUNE 16, 2023: New Development in Old Chauncey Schoolhouse
A new restaurant and brewery is opening next fall in Chauncey, but it will be in the old Dover Schoolhouse
NewsWatch reporter Morgan Anderson talks to the locals who are turning their dreams into a reality one vacant building at a time.
NewsWatch reporter Morgan Anderson talks to the locals who are turning their dreams into a reality one vacant building at a time.
bottom of page