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2017 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRAILS AWARDS Trail Promotion and Education Award


This award recognizes innovative and successful strategies for promoting and increasing trail use and understanding.


Cleveland Metroparks Trail Ambassador Volunteer Program Cleveland Metroparks in Ohio serves over 44 million visi-


tors annually. The 23,000+ acre park district is open 365 days per year. The park has 300 miles of trails, including all-pur- pose trails, hiking trails, and bridle paths. Volunteers with the Trail Ambassador program help provide an exceptional guest experience by interacting with the public to provide assis- tance, guidance, and education. The program was launched in 2005 as part of the Cleveland Foundation’s Successful Aging Initiative. The pro- gram was developed to provide a unique, outdoor, active, and ongoing volunteer opportunity for individuals age 50+. Eligibility later expanded to include participants over the age of 30.


The program is an innovative and successful strategy to engage and educate both volunteers and the public. The pro- gram builds rapport between the public and Cleveland Metroparks through positive guest interaction and enriches the lives of program participants.


Reese Lukei, Jr. Hulet Hornbeck Lifetime Service Award


In 2006, American Trails created a special National Award in Hulet’s honor, the Hulet Hornbeck Award and starting with the 2017 Symposium, we have combined this special award with our Lifetime Service Award and now call it the Hulet Hornbeck Lifetime Service Award. It is the highest honor celebrated in the national trails community.


Reese Lukei, Jr. Reese Lukei, Jr.’s long and productive career with trails began with his interest and dedication to the outdoors and migratory birds in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.


His leadership talents surfaced in 1981 when he became


President of the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club. Reese has been a Board Member for the Appalachian Trail Conference and the American Hiking Society, became the American Discovery Trail National Coordinator, and is a co-founder and board member of the American Discovery Trail Society. Reese’s keen sense of purpose and visionary ideas have


helped organizations to grow and prosper. During his 35 years of successful leadership he has mentored many of the current trail leaders today.


Reese has hiked in all 50 states, most of Canada, and 72 other countries, and the entire Appalachian Trail. Over the years he has banded more than 10,000 raptors.


10 FALL 2017 AmericanTrails.org Trail Accessibility Award


This award recognizes a project that demonstrates integration of accessibility characteristics into its design and construction. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary


Steep trail grades at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania limited many individuals from viewing migrat- ing birds of prey. A new smooth, natural pathway with bench- es, accessible trail-side restrooms, and viewing platform pro- vides a more accessible wildlife experience.


 Read more about this project on page 22


Cleveland volunteers provide information to trail visitors


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