Pictured: City of Paducah Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching received the Extra Mile Award at the 2026 Tennessee RiverLine Summit.
The Paducah Parks & Recreation Department is proud to announce that Taylor Morsching, assistant director of recreation, is the recipient of the Tennessee RiverLine’s 2025 Extra Mile Award. Morsching received the award at the 2026 Tennessee RiverLine Summit this week in Chattanooga, Tenn. This honor recognizes exceptional dedication to the initiative’s mission of connecting communities, promoting stewardship, and enhancing access along the 652-mile Tennessee River corridor.
This award reflects Morsching’s commitment to the Tennessee RiverLine’s mission by playing a key role in coordinating the free paddling events in Paducah-McCracken County. Each year, these events give the community an opportunity to use kayaks at no charge to enjoy paddling experiences on the Clarks River and Ohio River. The Paducah Parks and Recreation Department assists with event coordination, including registration.
“The collaboration between the Paducah Parks and Recreation Department and Tennessee RiverLine introduces the Paducah-McCracken County community to our river life through stewardship and recreational events,” said Morsching. “I’m honored to receive the Extra Mile Award and look forward to future events that allow the public to explore the beauty and heritage of our local rivers through accessible, safe, and exciting experiences.”
In the award letter to Morsching, Brad Collett, executive director of the Tennessee RiverLine and professor at University of Tennessee Knoxville, stated, “In 2025, you stood out among the more than 200 volunteer team members who have worked towards implementation in their respective communities and across the region. Thanks to the efforts of leaders like you, thousands of residents and visitors participated in stewardship and recreational RiverLine events throughout the year, with many experiencing the river in new and exciting ways.”
“This recognition reflects the power of partnership—when communities, volunteers, and regional organizations come together with a shared vision, we can create meaningful outdoor experiences,” said Paducah Parks and Recreation Director Amie Clark. “Helping to coordinate paddling events has shown us that collaboration is the key to expanding access, promoting stewardship, and celebrating one of our region’s greatest natural resources.”
Learn more about the Tennessee RiverLine of Paducah-McCracken County by visiting the Facebook page.
About the Tennessee RiverLine
The Tennessee RiverLine is a 1.2-million-acre system along the 652-mile Tennessee River, offering paddling, hiking, biking, fishing, birding, camping, and more. Spanning four states and dozens of communities, it welcomes people of all backgrounds and abilities. Led by UT Extension at the UT Institute of Agriculture, in partnership with UT Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee RiverLine organization works with local, state, and federal partners to enhance river access, support community vitality, and promote economic development and stewardship—keeping the Tennessee River vibrant and healthy for all.
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