The President’s Award is designed to recognize outstanding citizens or businesses who have made an impact in protecting open space, conservation, outdoor recreation, or volunteerism. 

The multi-sensory trail at Cook Forest State Park was a collaborative effort between the park and the Friends of Cook Forest (FCF). Members of FCF came up with the idea to revamp the park’s dilapidated trail into the only paved Sensory Trail for people with disabilities in western Pennsylvania. They researched all aspects of the project, worked with several outside contractors to provide materials, including driving to several other states to compare their attempts at providing an ADA trail.

The Friends' coordination and fundraising efforts resulted in more than $11,000 raised for an upgraded 0.2-mile long paved loop trail complete with wayfinding cable, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible benches, and 15 raised letter Braille signs that interpret forest ecosystems. As part of the Sensory Trail project, the Friends worked with park staff and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps to procure an additional $25,000 to provide trail surfacing, signposts, access road enhancements, an adjacent picnic area, and an improved ADA parking pad.  

The Sensory Trail project took a lightly used and poorly maintained area of the park and turned it into a trail that can be used as a model for other state parks. It serves as an inspiration toward ensuring parks are accessible and welcoming to all. Learn more about the group here.

This award is sponsored by: