This award recognizes an individual that has made outstanding contributions and provided consistent support for trail planning, development, or maintenance. It is intended to recognize the efforts of a private or public sector individual working for enhanced trail recreation on either the local, state, or national level.
Kym is intimately involved with and knowledgeable about all the trails in the Larimer County system.
Kym literally wrote the book— our trail building and maintenance standards for the County based on best and current known practices and techniques in the nation. Her latest accomplishment was in the successful completion of the design, layout and construction of the 5.5-mile Blue Sky Trail, making possible a regional trail system connecting Devil’s Backbone Open Space with Coyote Ridge Natural Area and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, some 15 miles away.
There were no shortage of obstacles along the way, including challenging topography (including a formidable sandstone hogback cliff), sensitive cultural and natural resources (including archaeological features and rare plants), and a tenuous relationship with an involved and vested public that wouldn’t allow anything but the most innovative and sustainable trail-building, such as a cantilevered natural-surface walkway that blends into the natural setting, to be attempted. Kym boldly embraced and took on these challenges, but handled them with sensitivity so as to leave all parties pleased with the result. One primary way she helped complete the trail successfully was involving the public in trail building days to ensure their investment in the layout and construction. This trail is one of the premiere regional trails in the state!
