The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations, is pleased to announce its 2023 Achievement Awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
Twelve trail projects have been selected by the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) as recipients of its 2023 Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Annual Achievement Awards. The awards – honoring former U.S. Representative Tom Petri (WI) – recognize outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds. These projects will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 6 with participation from award recipients and key trails champions, including Members of Congress.
2023 Multiple-Use Management and Corridor Sharing
Prospectors Loop Trails
The Prospectors Alliance had to find a safe and reasonable crossing of the Beaver River for the ATV trail to connect the north and south trails, connect Ely to Babbitt. Currently the snowmobile club had a trail which crossed about four thousand feet of spruce swamp and the existing bridge needed significant work if it was going to be used during the summer months.
2023 Community Linkage
Capital to Tahoe Trail
The Capital to Tahoe Trail is a world class trail that provides an important and exciting connection for hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, and equestrians to the Tahoe Rim Trail National Scenic Trail, and by extension, to the Pacific Crest Trail. From the steps of the Nevada State Capitol Building in Carson City, a hiker will now be able to quickly reach a single-track trail that could take them on an incredible journey of 1,152 miles to Mexico or 1,606 miles to Canada! Just a few months old, this trail, with its flowing turns and sweeping views of mountains and valleys, has already established itself as a regional favorite.
2023 Maintenance and Rehabilitation
Royal Palm Beach Pines Trails System
Located in central Palm Beach County, Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area preserves 779 acres of beautiful, high quality habitat. With construction completed in summer 2021, The Royal Palm Beach Pines Trails System-Recreational Trails Program Project T18003 served to refurbish on-site recreational trails and public use facilities, enhancing the on-site passive recreational opportunities for Palm Beach County residents and visitors.
2023 Accessibility Enhancement
Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail- Cromwell Drive Connector
The new trail has seen an incredible amount of pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian use in the few months it has been open to the public. The completion of this project has linked over 800 homes in the subdivisions north of Butterfield Road to the District's expansive Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail system, continuing the District's mission of connecting people to nature.
2023 Public-Private Partnerships Enhancing Public Lands Access and Use
Statewide Youth Volunteer Trail Maintenance
Washington Trails Association (WTA) has been engaging volunteers in trail maintenance for 30 years. Since 1993, WTA has engaged more than 44,000 volunteers who have contributed more than 2.4 million hours of service to trails in Washington. As part of this robust program, WTA has been offering volunteer trail maintenance opportunities specifically for youth since 2005.
2023 Construction and Design
Cacapon State Park Foundation Mountain Bike Trail Program
With three RTP grants, we built Thunderstruck, a signature 3.1 mile long trail that descends over 1,100’ through some of the rockiest terrain on the east coast. We did this by hand building half of the trail with the assistance of the Appalachain Conservation Corps. We also built an amazing skills park, a beginner jump trail, and the start of a climb to the top of the mountain... over 6 miles of new trail for all ability levels.
2023 Construction and Design
Hawks Rest Pack Stock Bridge Installation
The ‘Hawks Rest Saddle/Pack Stock and Hiker Bridge Installation’ project is located within the Teton Wilderness on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, approximately 79 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming. This bridge crosses the Yellowstone River and is located approximately 28 miles from the nearest trailhead or road. It provides the primary access for equestrian saddle/pack stock users and backcountry hikers to over 200,000 acres of extremely remote backcountry in the Teton Wilderness, as well as to vast amounts of remote backcountry in the neighboring areas of Yellowstone National Park and the Washakie Wilderness on the Shoshone National Forest.
2023 Youth Conservation/Service Corps and Community Outreach
Statewide Conservation Trails Crew
In 2022 NJ State Park Service was awarded $103,000.00 from the Recreational Trails Program grant to fund the Statewide Conservation Trails Crew Program, a partnership with two Youth Corps located within overburdened communities/environmental justice communities and NJ State Parks.
2023 Education and Communication
Avalanche Beacon Checking Station Signs
Install avalanche beacon checking stations at selected sno-parks throughout the state.
2023 Education and Communication
Sensible, Courteous, Off-Road, Enthusiasts / SCORE
Off Road Motorcycle riding has been a part of rural life in Pennsylvania for decades. People of all ages participate in this type of motorized physical activity each year; unfortunately, many are seriously injured. It has become apparent to our organization, the necessity to educate this user group on rider safety and stewardship of the land we ride on.
2023 Enhancement of Federal Lands
Cle Elum Ranger District Annual Liberty Work Party
The Hurtin’ Units, under the guidance and direction of David McMains, work annually on the Cle Elum Ranger District, logging out trails, patrolling (educating users on TREAD Lightly! Principles) and cleaning up public lands in the Swauk corridor.
2023 Engaging Public-Sector Partners
Tires to Trails: A Full Circle Project
How could 25,000 waste tires, a closed state park golf course, and a historically economically distressed community come together to create one of the first full circle sustainability projects of its kind? The Tires to Trails project has done just that by creating a project that simply means more than the sum of its parts.