ASHLAND, Ky. — The Ashland riverfront trail will soon be paved in asphalt, replacing the crumb rubber that previously covered the path.
The Boyd County Fiscal Court donated the rubber that was added to extend the trail during a volunteer work session last June. City Manager Michael Graese said the city recently realized the rubber mulch material wasn’t working out. It has since been removed.
“The mulch was very difficult to walk on,” he said.
Graese said the total paving cost for the entire 1,150-foot trail extension that loops below the blue and green bridges will be $38,397. The city has been given $5,000 via the FIVCO Area Development Fund Capital Improvement Project that will be used for the paving and the remaining amount will come from the city’s paving funds, he said.
Graese noted the city’s total paving budget for the year is more than $1 million.
“It’s something that’s more sustainable that will be better for people to be able to walk on, won’t twist ankles and things like that,” he said about the new surface.
The trail path will also be widened from about 5 feet to 8 feet. Graese said the city is aiming to begin paving within the next couple of weeks.