Kingdom Trails Executive Director Abby Long (#60)

Trail EAffect Episode 60 Abby Long the Executive Director for Kingdom Trails

Topics Covered:

Abby’s Backstory
- A career in Leadville working for the Leadville Race Series
- Economic Development through the Non-Profit / Race Series
- Transition to the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation
The Move back to New England
Getting Hired as the Kingdom Trails Executive Director
The Mission of the Kingdom Trails
104 Private Land Owners makes up Kingdom Trails
Rural and Economic Development and the benefit of Trails and Recreation
- Economic Impact of Trails
- Trail Networks Elevate Rural Communities
- How Trails help attract and retain a quality work force
Grants from Kingdom Trails to other organizations within the community
The silver linings from the loss of a core area of trails in November of 2019
The Kingdom Trail Capacity Study / Partnering with the SE Group
Ride with Gratitude
- Partnering with the Northern Forest Center
- Engaging Ride with Gratitude and the local businesses
Implementation of the Capacity Study
- Community Center
- Community Parking
- Links
Kingdom Trails and Staff at KT
Expansion of Trails in 2020 by Kingdom Trails Staff
Making adjustments to allow for more adaptive riders access on more miles of trail
The priority of Trail Maintenance at Kingdom Trails
The role of an Executive Director for a Trail Organization
Bike The Borderlands / Part of the Northern Forest Center
- Trails and Mountain Biking are part of the Forest Industry
- Federal Grants through the Northern Forest Center to help Trails and Communities
What’s on tap for 2022 in Kingdom Trails
Everyone Yields to Everyone at Kingdom Trails – Ride with Gratitude
Bike Bells on Trails
Closing Question – The Power of trails
- Trails Are Essential
Closing comments by Abby
- Engaging Youth with Trails
- Ride with Gratitude

Links:

Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation: https://www.leadvilletrail100legacy.org/

Kingdom Trails: https://www.kingdomtrails.org/

Dirt Church Brewing: https://dirtchurchvt.wpcomstaging.com/

Brice Shirbach Interview with Abby Long: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/interview-abby-long-executive-director-of-the-kingdom-trail-association.html

Beta Magazine Keys to the Kingdom by Devon O’Neil: https://www.betamtb.com/culture/key-to-the-kingdom/

Kingdom Trails Capacity Study: https://segroup.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=ff307acd023440d585c3c62aec25b47c

Ride with Gratitude: https://www.bikeborderlands.com/ride-with-gratitude

Bike Borderlands: https://www.bikeborderlands.com/

Northern Forest Center: https://northernforest.org/

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

Trail EAffect Show Support:

Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/

Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect