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ORCA & The Baileys In the Press
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July 1, 2026: DeWine’s veto ensuring Baileys Trail funding seen as a lifeline
Recreational and environmental advocates welcomed Gov. Mike DeWine’s recent line-item veto of a budget corrections measure, which ensures continued funding for the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia.
June 29, 2026: Ohio’s Best-Kept Secret
With a world-class trail system, dense forests, and pristine lakes—and zero crowds—Athens County is like nowhere else in the Midwest
June 27, 2026: Statement by ORCA on governor’s veto of HB 470 amendment
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed a last-minute budget amendment in HB 479 that would have eliminated state funding for the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA), protecting nearly a decade of trail development, a growing 18-county regional partnership, and economic development work that is already delivering results in one of Ohio’s most persistently impoverished regions.
June 25, 2026: Governor vetoes outdoor rec funding cut
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued an eleventh-hour line-item veto on a house bill provision that would have stripped the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia of $750,000 in state funding.
June 17, 2026: Baileys Trail org in jeopardy
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A house bill awaiting Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s signature would strip at least three quarters of a million dollars in funding from the entity that manages the Baileys Trail System, the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia.
June 3, 2026: Ohio’s Rolling Hills regional tourism brand unveiled
Last month at the Ohio Statehouse, regional leaders, tourism partners, community organizations, and local stakeholders unveiled Ohio’s Rolling Hills, a collaborative tourism brand representing counties across Appalachian Ohio. Home to Ohio’s only national forest, more than a dozen state parks, historic river towns, vibrant arts communities, and some of the state’s most dramatic landscapes, Southern and Southeast Ohio now share...
May 31, 2026: Introducing "Ohio's Rolling Hills" : Southern and Southeast Ohio Unveil Unified Regional Tourism Brand
For generations, the winding roads and deep ridges of Southern and Southeast Ohio have hidden some of the Midwest's finest secrets. It is a region where the mist hangs low over Ohio's only national forest, where historic river towns echo with folklore of early America, and where local artisans keep century-old traditions alive in hidden valley studios
May 30, 2026: Southern and Southeast Ohio unveil unified regional tourism brand
At the recent Ohio Tourism Day at the Ohio Statehouse, regional leaders, tourism partners, community organizations, and local stakeholders unveiled “Ohio’s Rolling Hills”, a collaborative tourism brand representing counties across Appalachian Ohio.
May 19, 2026: Eighteen southern and southeast Ohio counties launch unified tourism brand
Leaders from across southern and southeast Ohio unveiled a new regional tourism brand last week at Ohio Tourism Day at the Statehouse, uniting 18 counties under the name Ohio’s Rolling Hills.
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
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