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Trail Neighbor Award

Each year, FNT presents the Trail Neighbor of the Year, an award that recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has contributed significantly to the promotion, maintenance, or community of the trail system. Past winners are listed below, with a summary of the efforts they’ve made.

2007 Residents of 6-8 High St
For their creative use of their landscape that abuts the trail in Florence, including a welcoming, shady cement bench, a free air pump, water, and even an emergency phone for rail trail users.
2008 Craig and Kathy Della Penna
For their outstanding and tireless local and regional efforts on behalf of rail trails, and their wonderful restoration of their Florence home that sits only 8 feet off the trail.
2009 The Northampton Department of Public Works
For their continued and tireless work on behalf of the Northampton rail trail network, even during tight budget cycles.
2011 Smith College
For their support of the trails, most notably funding the new crosswalks and bike lanes on Elm Street, providing pro-bono assistance with the creation of the maps for FNT’s brochure, supporting the Bike Kitchen project, and other contributions.
2012 Jane Sommer
In appreciation for her daily efforts to keep the Veterans Field area looking good. The neighborhood around the skateboard park and the rail trail under South Street are heavily used and enjoyed by lots of people, and Jane aims to keep it that way.
2013 Julia Riseman
For her tireless work behind-the-scenes as one of the founding members of FNT has enabled the organization to grow and engage the community in trail-related activities.
2014 James Lowenthal
For his many contributions to the cycling community in Northampton, including his work with MassBike’s PV chapter, the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian subcommittee, and his other unselfish work to advocate for the rights and interests of cyclists.
2015 Gaby Immerman and John Sinton
Leaders of the Mill River Greenway Initiative, which provides public education about the river’s history and ecology, and works for access to and conservation of the entire length of the river.
2016 Emily and Caleb Langer
Nominated for their work, both in the business and leisure realms, to encourage cycling and trail use. They have organized the popular Tweed Ride for the past two years; a creative family ride event from downtown Northampton to Look Park.
2017 Heidi Stevens
For her energy, passion, and creativity demonstrated through efforts to promote and preserve the Hotel Bridge in Leeds, and her instrumental work with the Leeds Civic Association.
 2018
 
Jack Finn and Duane Ranney
For each working hard on mowing the grass and weeds along the King Street trail, keeping this highly used section open and inviting for everyone.
2019
Dave Litterer
For re-blazing several trails and blazing new trails in the Robert’s Hill area, and creating maps of hiking trails in many Northampton conservation lands.
2020Rich Parrish
For frequently working to remove invasive plants, cleaning up litter and refuse, assisting in small building projects, and planting trees, among other outdoor volunteer activities.
2021Steve McDonough
For coordinating fundraising efforts and removal of invasive species at the new Beaver Brook Greenway. Steve partnered with the Leeds Civic Association in the spring & summer of 2020 to help purchase a 45 acre parcel that lies between the Mill River and Rte 9 in Leeds and abuts the rail trail, now called the Beaver Brook Greenway. This parcel will someday be a crucial link of the Northampton One Trail. Steve has also blazed and improved trails through this 45 acre parcel over the past two years, including a number of volunteer work parties that identified and removed invasive species.

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Thanks to our sponsors

Northampton Bicycle
D.A. Sullivan & Sons
Speed & Sprocket Cycle Works
Northeast Greenway Solutions is a Business Sponsor
Ostrander Law Office

 

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Friends of Northampton Trails is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

 

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