Each year, Alberta TrailNet Society awards its provincial “Trail Blazer Award” to an individual, group, or community that has made significant contributions to, and demonstrated long-standing commitment and involvement in, trail planning and development in Alberta. In selecting the recipient, Alberta TrailNet Society recognizes that this entity’s accomplishments are often supported and reflected by the contributions, commitment, and achievements of other trail builders and supporters, volunteers, staff, and Municipal representatives.
The Trail Blazer Award, created by sculptor Rick Silas, is a beautiful, hand-carved, large wooden boot on a tree stump that features the names of all award winners engraved on brass plates. Each award recipient receives a smaller hand-carved wooden replica of the Trail Blazer Award made by sculptor Ilb Rasmussen.
Alberta TrailNet Society is pleased to announce that Sturgeon County has been selected as the Society’s annual 2022 Trail Blazer Award recipient.
This Award recognizes the County’s long standing support and involvement in the development of trails within the County, the Capital Region, and in other municipalities in the region. Sturgeon County is being recognized for:
- Sturgeon County’s work on Trans Canada Trail projects, including the Lamoureux Trail, the Lamoureux Trailhead and staging area, the Fort Augustus Trail, the Woodridge Trail, and other trail projects within the County. Visit Sturgeon County’s trails.
- The County’s long standing membership on the Athabasca Landing Trail Steering Committee and work on a number of historic Athabasca Landing Trail projects in Westlock County, Gibbons,
- Athabasca County, Town of Athabasca, and connections to City of Fort Saskatchewan.
- Involvement on the River Valley Alliance, a not for profit association with 6 municipal shareholders including the Town of Devon, Parkland County, City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, City of Fort Saskatchewan and Sturgeon County, whose goal is to develop a continuous connected regional trail system along the North Saskatchewan River Valley from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan (approximately 100 km.), and related recreation and tourism amenities. This trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail and will connect communities, support active transportation, and improve quality of life through access and enjoyment of the river valley.
In presenting this award, Alberta TrailNet Society would also like to recognize the work and support of past and present Sturgeon County Staff and Council members who have supported and contributed in many ways to the Society’s goal of ‘Promoting a Trail Network, including the Trans Canada Trail, Connecting All Albertans.
