Greenways Award Nominations Due April 30

The public is invited to nominate individuals, groups, companies, or organizations for the Annual Greenways Awards which are presented by the Council on Greenways and Trails (CGT) serving Venango, Clarion, and Crawford Counties in western Pennsylvania. This year’s award ceremony had initially been scheduled for National Trails Day on June 6; the free public ceremony is postponed until an autumn date yet to be determined. During these times when social distancing should be maintained, people are encouraged to exercise outdoors by utilizing existing trails and open spaces, but to respectfully remain at least six feet away from others, and to adhere to “Leave No Trace” guidelines by taking any litter back home. Nominations for each of the three categories of annual awards, however, are still due by April 30, 2020. Nomination forms are available at www.nwpagreenways.org or by contacting Mrs. Marilyn Black, CGT Treasurer, at marilynblack@windstream.net. A nominator is asked to describe the merits of the potential award recipient, provide related documentation, and other supporting material of the nominator’s choice. The website lists previous recipients; this annual program began in 2013. The “James E. Holden Greenways Volunteer of the Year” award (sponsored by the Holden Family) goes to a nominee who provided significant uncompensated hours and expertise to assist the CGT and/or its member organizations during the prior five years. The “Thomas J. Allen Greenways Partner of the Year” award (sponsored by the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority) is presented to the nominee who donated supported, resources, items, and/or expertise to assist the CGT and/or its member organizations during the prior five years. “Richard M. Garrard Greenways Neighbor of the Year” (sponsored by Friends of the Council on Greenways and Trails) is a person, group, business, or entity situated next to the trails or greenways in the three-county area; this award recognizes event-specific or ongoing involvement and assistance by adjacent property owners during the prior five years. In addition to presentation certificates, award recipients will receive framed photographs taken by Kennerdell resident Jerry Gressley depicting sunrises and sunsets throughout the region. When the awards ceremony is held, refreshments will be provided courtesy of Eat ‘N Park Hospitality Group.