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.
In his professional position as the TN Greenways and Trails Coordinator Mr. Richards has been responsible for the creation of a statewide Geographic Information System for Greenways and Trails.
This work involved coordinating with parks, recreation and non-profit organizations across the state to gather the most up to date information about all types of trails. Mr. Richards professional work has also included trail education/information and he was responsible for updating and publishing the manual “Pathways to Trail Building - 4th Edition of the Tennessee Recreation Trails Manual” which has been made available to individuals and groups all across the state. Additionally, he edits the bimonthly Greenways and Trails Tidbits newsletter which provides trails information for both non-motorized and motorized trails.
Mr. Richards was Chair of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association, Resource Management Branch. In this role he was responsible to develop the content for the Resource Management workshop and the state conference which included sessions on trail construction and maintenance.Mr. Richards has volunteered to provide assistance to one non-profit group, the Friends of Beaman Park, on trail design, volunteer training and trail construction projects. For National Trails Day in 2007, he designed and coordinated volunteers to construct a 56-foot long pedestrian bridge over a creek in the park.
460 views • posted 01/16/2018
