Know Your Island Walk series nets state ‘Walkable’ award

Published 3:00 pm Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Feet First, a statewide organization promoting walkable communities, recently honored the San Juan Island Trails Committee with a Walkable Washington Innovation Award, one of three given at a symposium held at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

The award cited the Know Your Island Walk series created and implemented by Eileen Drath for the Trails Committee. Drath gave an informative presentation at the symposium on the programs that have fostered collaboration, cooperation, coordination, connections and community.

She was accompanied by two members of the Trails Committee, Chairman Bill Severson and Leslie Veirs.

The first Know Your Island Walk was in January 2011 at American Camp, led by Mike Vouri, historian and Chief of Interpretation for the San Juan Island National Historical Park. The most recent, Saturday, April 26, was led by Land Bank Commissioner Amanda Azous, on the Djarf connection at the Land Bank’s West Side Preserve. All walks are on trails open to the public.

Over the years, since 2011, the monthly walks have been guided by individuals from the community who represent a wide variety of groups, including the Port of Friday Harbor, the Trails Committee, the Youth Conservation Corps and the San Juan Historical Society. Eileen is to be congratulated for her unique idea of promoting walking through community education and engagement.

— By Leslie Veirs