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.
Mike Rooks is Park Foreman at Little Mulberry Park in Gwinnet County, Georgia.
As a dedicated county park worker, Mike routinely repairs and maintains more than 15 miles of equestrian, hiking, and cross country running trails contained within the 900 acre park.
Mike leads his team and repairs, redirects, and— in extreme situations— constructs new trails that provide safe recreational enjoyment to the 800,000 plus county residents. He works to not only maintain the trail system but also improve the local flora and fauna one finds along the pathways.Planting native ground cover, removing invasive species, and weekly safety checks for dangerous limbs, encroaching plants, or erosion are just a part of what Mike oversees to make the park safer and more enjoyable for all users.
Little Mulberry Park is a destination park known for its nationally recognized trails that vary in difficulty and experiences. One can amble through historical areas such as the trails stone pile formations to the historical Carriage Trail, a once popular trail used by early settlers in moving goods across the county. This park’s trail system has been designated as National Recreation Trails and has recently been notified as a finalist in the local Media’s “Best Park” award. The cross country running trail system is one of the heaviest used rails in the park where runners form local schools train for competition.
476 views • posted 01/10/2018
