The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises announced during a reception in KTVU studios last night that online voting awarded the 2010 Bay Area Cox Conserves Heroes award to Bruce Beyaert for the accomplishments of TRAC, the Trails for Richmond Action Committee.  I made the nomination that led to Bruce's selection as one of the five finalists for this award.

In his acceptance remarks, Bruce made it clear that the City of Richmond, East Bay Regional Park District, ABAG's San Francisco Bay Trail Project, BCDC and the private sector all share credit for Bay Trail successes in Richmond:

" Thank you very much for this award on behalf of  the Trails for Richmond Action Committee.  TRAC's mission is to complete the San Francisco Bay Trail in Richmond; and by year end, Richmond will have 30 miles of Bay Trail in place.  That represents an astounding 10% of the Bay Trail built in the entire nine-county Bay Area.   TRAC credits this accomplishment to the City of Richmond and East Bay Regional Park District with critical support from ABAG's San Francisco Bay Trail Project and the Bay Conservation & Development Commission.  The private sector also has played a major role.  Auto Warehousing Company just rolled out the 2.4-mile Shipyard 3 Trail, Republic Services is completing a scenic three mile loop around their former landfill on San Pablo Bay, and Chevron has committed to provide easements needed by both the City and Regional Park District to close major gaps in the Bay Trail.  I urge you to explore the Bay Trail in Richmond and discover its spectacular necklace of national, state, regional and local shoreline parks."

This award brought $5,000 to the San Francisco Bay Trail Project, and TRAC will be recommending a use that enhances enjoyment of the Bay Trail in Richmond.

For more information, contact:
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Nancy Strauch, TRAC Vice Chair
tracbaytrail@earthlink.net
http://www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/TRAC
http://www.explorerichmondca.com/baytrail.htm