We built The Parklands on a framework of connected pathways and special places. Today, we’re expanding that vision with a new trail at Beckley Creek Park.

Echo Rim Trail brings an added sense of adventure to our urban, northernmost park. Designed for an immersive hiking experience, the trail takes you on a carefully crafted journey that begins in wooded areas before opening into meadows and savanna, with stream crossings along the way.

Trail built almost entirely in-house

Aside from the stone staircase, which was custom-cut and designed by Aguilar Stone Masonry, the trail was constructed entirely by our in-house team.

The project began in late October 2025. The team worked through a major winter storm and challenging early spring conditions before opening the trail to the public in April 2026.

Our team completed the project in under six months—a remarkable accomplishment, especially while balancing daily responsibilities during that time.

Kirk Dolan, Superintendent, partnered with Evan Cross, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Natural Areas, and Trails, to oversee construction of the trail, which features two surface types. Kirk led the construction of the crushed stone section, while Evan guided the development of the soft-surface portion.

Bringing expertise together

Kirk worked with trail technicians from Evan’s team to install the crushed stone section, a distinct style found on only one other trail in our park system—the Prairie Preserve Trail in Pope Lick Park. This approach blends larger stone with “fines,” or small, angular pieces that interlock when compacted.

For the new trail, the team layered the crushed stone over a rock base to create a stable, comfortable walking surface. It also helps reduce standing water and rutting compared to dirt paths.

Scratching through the surface

Determining the full scope of trail construction required a little digging—literally, according to Evan. He says, “You have to scratch through the surface,” adding, “You don’t always know what you will find.”

Along the southern ridge of the trail near the Distillery Bend area, the team found evidence of the Grosscurth Distillery’s operations in the 1970s, providing a reminder of how the past continues to reveal itself across the parks.

In areas close to Floyds Fork, Kirk and Evan quickly determined that stream crossings with rock culverts were needed to divert water from the trail. They consulted on how to build the crossings and elevate them so hikers could stay on higher ground.

Weaving through different landscapes

With the gravel portion of the trail underway, Evan used his experience to guide work on the soft-surface section. The team faced the challenge of weaving the path through forests and meadows, each with distinct land and wildlife considerations.

Another challenge was removing invasive bush honeysuckle, a persistent problem across the parks. This species shades out native vegetation and prevents native trees from regenerating.

Photo by Debbie Barmore

A path leading to special places and wondrous moments

The stone staircase offers a striking transition point from the crushed stone to packed dirt sections of the trail. At the top, you’ll find an overlook framed by large oak trees, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Just before the stairs, you’ll encounter the Hedgeapple Flats, a forest of Osage Orange trees that invites exploration.

Wildlife sightings add to the trail’s charm. Evan says a belted kingfisher appeared almost every time he did work on the project site, and our Founder Dan Jones recently delighted in seeing a pair of Kentucky wood ducks.

This blend of intentional design and natural beauty is what makes the trail so special. Asked what he hopes visitors take away from their first outing, Kirk simply says, “This is my new favorite trail.”

An effort with several advantages

Along with project cost efficiencies, bringing trail construction in-house offered several important advantages:

Project Oversight. Evan noted that the team was able to fully own the trail development process from start to finish. This ownership meant they could uphold our organization’s standards of excellence—paying close attention to every detail and taking responsibility for addressing any issues along the way.

Habitat Preservation. Consistent with our mission, we focus on preserving natural habitats and the original character of the landscape whenever we add recreational amenities. For this trail, we avoided clearing large swaths of vegetation in some areas and instead took a strategic approach to minimize impacts on native plants and wildlife.

Efficiency and Flexibility. Working together, Kirk and Evan were able to mobilize teams and adapt as needed. During the development phase, they ground-truthed the trail to ensure proposed specifications matched field conditions. Throughout the project, they met regularly to identify challenges and keep work moving forward on schedule.

Learning. Education is at the heart of our programs like our Outdoor Classroom, and it’s also a goal for our site projects. Managing the Echo Rim Trail in-house gave the team opportunities to expand their knowledge, especially for those who had never built a trail before.

Photo by Debbie Barmore

A vision achieved through great skill and dedication

A large project is only successful if it delivers on its original vision. For the Echo Rim Trail, that vision is to offer visitors an engaging excursion into the woods while highlighting features that reflect the park’s distinct identity. One such feature is the stone staircase—situated in a wooded area, yet so masterfully designed that it could also fit seamlessly into the park’s more formal spaces.

Through countless hours of skilled and dedicated craftsmanship, our team has brought this vision to life.

Michael Gaige and Jim Walters, who have worked on various sites across The Parklands since our organization’s inception, consulted with our Founder Dan Jones to shape the trail’s conceptual direction. For design and planning, we partnered with Taylor Siefker Design Group, which has collaborated with The Parklands in recent years.

Make plans to explore the trail

In the coming months, we hope you’ll set out on the Echo Rim Trail to enjoy the vibrant energy of our busiest park this spring while also exploring its peaceful wooded areas. It’s the best of both outdoor worlds, made possible by your support.

Tree-lined, ‘lollipop’-style hike

Like the Wild Hyacinth Trail in Turkey Run Park, the Echo Rim Trail has a lollipop layout. You’ll start on a straight path, continue around a loop, and return along the same linear section of the trail. It is an easy, hike-only route that spans 1.65 miles round trip.

Start and finish at the southern end of the Humana Grand Allee

The trailhead can be accessed from the parking lot at the Humana Grand Allee sports fields, where a crosswalk over Beckley Creek Parkway will lead you to the Black Willow Trail. Turn left onto the crushed gravel trail and walk for about 0.12 miles to reach the trailhead.