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MOUNT DORA ? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection?s (DEP)
Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) today announced Steve Stackhouse, manager of
the Withlacoochee State Trail (WST), has been named as the 2009 Trails Manager
of the Year by the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA). The award recognizes the
efforts and achievements of groups, organizations and individuals that inspire
and support people and communities to enjoy greater freedom and well being
through bicycling.
?We are extremely pleased that Steve?s dedication and innovative work with
the Withlacoochee State Trail has been recognized by the state?s bicycling
community and our partners at the Florida Bicycle Association,? said Jena
Brooks, Director of DEP?s Office of Greenways & Trails. ?In managing Florida?s
longest, paved rail-trail, Steve successfully works with a large, diverse group
of trail users as well as interfacing with several agencies and communities
along the 46-mile corridor.?
One of 16 FBA award recipients to be honored this year, Stackhouse has
worked with OGT since 2006 as manager of the WST, which runs through Citrus,
Hernando, Pasco counties and the Withlacoochee State Forest. Each year,
Stackhouse works closely with the volunteers of the Rails to Trails of the
Withlacoochee, Inc. to host an annual bike ride which attracts around 1,200 to
1,500 participants, making it one of the largest single-day bike rides in the
southeast and a major fundraiser for the WST.
?The Florida Bicycle Association has recognized Steve Stackhouse as Trail
Manager of the Year for his outstanding contributions to a bicycle friendly
Florida,? said Ken Bryan, Florida Director of Rails to Trails Conservancy, who
nominated Steve Stackhouse for the FBA award. ?Steve?s effective management of
this popular rail-trail makes it a safe and interesting recreational resource
for bicyclists and all types of trail users.?
Steve guides and works alongside the volunteers to enhance the trail with a
variety of activities. In 2008, he initiated a project in which the Rails to
Trails volunteers partnered with the Citrus County Health Department to fund and
construct a self-guided fitness trail alongside the WST.
DEP?s Office of Greenways and Trails manages eight state trails, in addition
to the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Of the eight state trails,
six are rail-trails, which are railroad corridors converted to recreational
trails for hiking, biking, skating, equestrian activities and alternative
transportation.
Florida recently garnered national recognition for its commitment to
facilitating an outstanding statewide system of trails. Honored for its vision,
initiatives and management of trails throughout the state, Florida was the
first-ever recipient of the Best Trails State Award in 2008 presented by
American Trails, the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of
all trail interests. For more information about Florida?s trails, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/.
For more information about the FBA, visit
www.floridabicycle.org.
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2012 State of Florida