This award is given in recognition of successful efforts to influence public policy relating to trail planning, trail protection, trail development, or maintenance.
Bridge along the Louisiana Trail
John Tarver, his late brother, Donald Tarver, both of Baton Rouge, and Robert Hopkins of Shreveport organized the L&A Trail, Inc.
In 2001 the group purchased railroad property from Kansas City Southern Railway for the purpose of developing a recreational trail. The Louisiana Trail is an all-volunteer association dedicated to the development of the L&A Trail’s railroad corridor from Winnfield to Sibley, as a 65-mile-long recreational trail. The Trail accepts members from several recreational groups, including hikers, bikers, equestrians, and ATV riders. John Tarver serves as president, with day-to-day operations conducted by volunteers organized as the Louisiana Trail. The Trail now has several hundred active members. It has no paid employees. The contributions of members, along with generous assistance from businesses and individuals in the area, have permitted the Trail to receive funds from the Division of Outdoor Recreations that underwrite construction.
