FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: November 27, 2002
Florida Blazes the Trail
with Awards at the National
Trails Symposium
ORLANDO - Florida is
blazing America’s trails, both literally and
metaphorically. The state took the spotlight at the
National Trails Symposium, receiving six of the eleven
honors awarded by American Trails. Volunteers,
professionals, and other leaders were recognized for their
outstanding efforts in helping to create a national system
of trails:
- Trails and the Arts,
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) --
FDOT was recognized for its part in establishing the
Cross Florida Greenway Land Bridge over I-75. Since
the groundbreaking in July 1999, the Land Bridge
continues to generate curiosity and excitement. The 52
feet by 200 feet-long structure follows a natural
ridge, minimizing environmental impact. U-beams,
modified especially for the Land Bridge, support the
weight of fieldstone walls and tons of topsoil holding
the irrigated planters landscaped with native
vegetation. The Land Bridge connects the east and west
sides of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida
Greenway and provides safe passage across the
Interstate for trail users and wildlife.
- Trail Advocacy Award,
Florida Trail Association (FTA) -- The FTA was
acknowledged for its successful influence on public
policy in trail planning, protection, development and
maintenance, and as an important partner in creating a
statewide system of greenways and trails. Since 1966,
FTA volunteers have continued to build and maintain
the Florida National Scenic Trail, one of the nation’s
premier long-distance hiking trails.
- Trail Worker Award,
Joan Hobson -- As a goal for her 70th birthday,
Hobson hiked the 1,200-mile Florida National Scenic
Trail for the second time. Her journey allowed 684
miles of trail to be inventoried. During her tenure as
Vice President of FTA, 166 miles of trail were
certified as national scenic trails.
- Lifetime Service
Award, Jim Kern -- Founding President of the FTA,
Kern created the organization in 1996. Today, the FTA
has approximately 5,000 members who are striving to
make the concept of “Florida’s footpath forever”
a reality -- one step at a time.
- Outstanding Media
Award, Ocala Star-Banner -- A long-time supporter
of the Office of Greenways & Trails, the newspaper
continues to cover news and promote events surrounding
the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. By
keeping the community informed of the variety of
recreational opportunities available along the trail,
including hiking, biking, canoeing, horseback riding,
fishing, and wildlife viewing, the paper generates
significant support for Florida’s greenways and
trails program.
- Corporate Award, St.
Joe Company/Arvida -- The award recognizes a
business that demonstrates significant, sustained, and
exemplary service to trail planning, implementation,
and/or recreation. The St. Joe Company is Florida’s
largest private landowner with approximately one
million acres in northwest Florida. St. Joe has taken
extensive measures to ensure that the natural features
of a site are protected and incorporated as the key
feature of their projects.
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Press Office
