The Harlan County Outdoor Recreation Board met recently and a few different key issues served as topics for discussion. Talks of expanding the trails at the Black Mountain Off Road Adventure Park dominated the majority of the meeting.

Members of the board plan to approach landowners in the coming weeks in an effort to expand the trails at the park that will cover over 140 extra miles. Preston McLain, president of the Harlan County Ridge Runners, said adding more trails would go a long way in enhancing the quality of the park.

“It is something that we expect can get done fairly soon. We want to get it done as quickly as we possibly can. There are just a few steps that we have to go through before that happens,” McLain said. “We feel that adding more trails will bring even more tourist interest in the park. People don’t get tired of riding the trails that we have right now. However, we do get questions sometimes as to whether or not we have added new trails. So because of that I am really looking forward to getting this done.”

Some time next month the details on extending the park could be closer to being finalized. Also discussed during the meeting was the decision on holding off selling the newly designed maps until June. This due to the board’s efforts to sell more ads that will outline the edges of the new maps. The board voted to place an emergency order for more maps that are expected to last at least until June, when the new maps are expected to go on sale. Adds are currently being sold for the new maps at $300 each.

Plans for next year’s outdoor expo were also discussed on Tuesday as the event is scheduled to kick off March 20 of 2009. It will be the first event of its kind in Harlan County. McLain says the event will be a very exciting one for Harlan County residents. He noted that there will be something there to attract all ages.

“This will be something that we expect will attract a lot of people. We want to have a lot of different things going on during the event. Turkey calling, dog trainers and several other interesting activities will be scheduled,” he said. “This will be something that people with all types of different interests can enjoy themselves at. There will be plenty for kids to do as well. It will be a great chance for children to learn about the outdoors.”