Bike to the Sea, Inc. was awarded a “Pioneer in Partnership Award” from the Essex National Heritage Commission.
The award was given Oct. 15, 2015 to recognize the group’s leadership in developing regional trails. In presenting the award, Essex Heritage officials noted that Bike to the Sea “for more than two decades had overcome all manner of hurdles in its pursuit of a 10-mile trail linking the urban communities of Everett, Malden, Saugus, Revere, and Lynn.”
The citation went on to note: “With this past summer’s dedication of the Revere section, the Northern Strand Trail is now open from Everett to the Lynn line, providing residents with a car-free pathway to businesses, schools, parks, rivers, and the magnificent Rumney Marsh. Under the leadership of founding president Steve Winslow, Bike to the Sea has been instrumental in overcoming some of the most significant hurdles faced by advocates seeking to convert abandoned rail corridors to trails in Massachusetts.”
Attending the award ceremony were Bike to the Sea founding members Steve and Helen Winslow as well as Bike to the Sea President Jim Tozza and Bike to the Sea Project Manager Clay Larsen.
Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area by developing programs that enhance, preserve and encourage recreation, education, conservation and interpretation projects on Boston’s North Shore and the Lower Merrimack River Valley. The Essex National Heritage Area is comprised of the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, MA.