Trails Committee Gets Statewide Award

Bill Severson and Eileen Drath – Alice Hurd photo

Leslie Veirs sends this story over on behalf of the Trails Committee…

Feet First, a statewide organization promoting walkable communities, recently honored the San Juan Island Trails Committee with a Walkable Washington Innovation Award, one of three given at a symposium held at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

The award cited the Know Your Island Walks created and implemented by Eileen Drath for the Trails Committee. She gave an informative presentation there on the programs which have fostered collaboration, cooperation, coordination, connections and community.

She was accompanied by two members of the Trails Committee, Bill Severson, chair, and Leslie Veirs.

The first Know Your Island Walk was in January 2011 at American Camp, led by Mike Vouri, historian and Chief of Interpretation for the San Juan Island National Historical Park. The most recent, on Saturday, was led by Amanda Azous, Land Bank commissioner, on the Djarf connection at the West Side Preserve. All walks are on trails open to the public.

Over the years since 2011 the monthly walks have been guided by individuals from the community who represent a wide variety of groups, including the Port of Friday Harbor, the Trails Committee, the Youth Conservation Corps and the San Juan Historical Society. Eileen is to be congratulated for her unique idea of promoting walking through community education and engagement.

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