Annual Greenways Awards ceremony set for today
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The public is invited to attend the 2026 Greenways Awards Ceremony in Clarion today. The free event will be indoors at 2 p.m. within the Conference Room of the DCNR/Clear Creek Forest District Office, 162 South Second Ave., a barrier-free facility with adjacent handicapped-accessible vehicle parking.
The Annual Greenways Awards are presented by the Council on Greenways and Trails (CGT) serving Venango, Clarion, and Crawford Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. Recipients are selected from among individuals, groups, and businesses nominated in the three-county area for significant achievements during the previous five years. Titusville Community Development Agencies is sponsoring the overall program and ceremony for 2026. This year's hosts are Discover Clarion County, Clarion County Economic Development Corporation, and DCNR/Bureau of Forestry, Clear Creek Forest District.
The "James E. Holden Greenways Volunteer of the Year Award" is being given to Susan and Layne Giering of Shippenville. In their retirement years, both have focused the majority of their volunteer time on recreational trails on land and on water. They are leaders among the North Country Trail/Clarion Chapter and the Council on Greenways and Trails. Co-sponsoring this year's Volunteer Award are Caryl Holden of Franklin and Discover Clarion County.
The "Thomas J. Allen Greenways Partner of the Year Award" will recognize the nonprofit Armstrong Trails organization for their leadership and exceptional collaboration across six years and $7.7 million invested to restore and open to the public in 2024 the Brady Tunnel, a now rehabilitated former railroad tunnel on the east bank of the Allegheny River on the Clarion County portion of Armstrong Trail. Receiving the award on behalf of the group will be Chris Ziegler, Executive Director of Armstrong Trails. Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority sponsors this award which is named in honor of their late Executive Director.
Accepting the "Richard M. Garrard Greenways Neighbor of the Year Award" will be Erin Wanninger and Marcy Hall, co-owners of Woods & River Coffee, with two locations in downtown Oil City, Pa., along sections of the Justus Trail within the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail system. Their trailside shops (on Center Street on the North Side and on Front Street on the South Side) offer community information and hospitality geared to the needs of the bicycling, hiking, and paddling recreational enthusiasts at this hub in the area's trail system. They also operate bed and breakfast facilities on the second floor above their Southside location. This award is sponsored by anonymous friends of the Council on Greenways and Trails.
CGT members provide free refreshments and hospitality during this outdoor awards ceremony. Reservations are not needed. Questions about the ceremony may be addressed to Mrs. Hind Karns, Greenways Awards Event Chair, (814) 226-9045, hind@clarioncountyedc.com. For more details about the Council on Greenways and Trails, see www.councilongreenwaystrails.org.