Washington, D.C. – Hundreds of recreation industry leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in meetings, events and celebrations of the significant contributions of the recreation community during Great Outdoors Week (June 9-14). This year’s theme, A Celebration of Partners Working to Keep the Outdoors in America’s Tomorrow, was designed to: increase the visibility of outdoor recreation on the national policy-making level; heighten the understanding and appreciation of recreation’s importance to the nation’s health, economy and quality of life; provide an opportunity to highlight key recreation policy initiatives and programs; and recognize outstanding leadership on behalf of outdoor recreation.

Children and nature, recreation and the 2008 elections, achievements of the Recreational Trails Program, the first National Get Outdoors Day, and more were addressed in productive gatherings throughout the week. Awards honoring the outstanding efforts and contributions of exemplary federal agency employees and recreation community leaders also contributed to the Week’s excitement.

Washington, D.C. - Six 2008 Beacon Awards, representing outstanding efforts in harnessing the power of technology to improve public recreation experiences and federal recreation program management, were presented by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) at the opening reception for Great Outdoors Week on Monday, June 9. The awards were presented by ARC Vice Chairman Richard Coon at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Seven trail projects have been chosen by the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) as recipients of its tenth Annual Achievement Awards in recognition of their outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds. These national awards will be presented at a special Capitol Hill ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2008 as part of the celebration of Great Outdoors Week 2008.

The trail projects honored by the CRT and their award categories are:

Storms’ Crossing -- Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail (South Dakota) - Maintenance and Rehabilitation

Wanoga Snopark Shelter (Oregon) - Construction and Design

ORV Maps and Educational Materials (Wyoming) - Education and Communication

Boundary Canal Trail – Phases I and II (Florida) – Multiple-Use Management and Corridor Sharing

Crestone Needle – Humboldt Peak Project (Colorado) – Environment and Wildlife Compatibility

Johnny Henderson Park Trail (Alabama) - Accessibility Enhancement (Project)

Florida Recreational Trails Program - Accessibility Enhancement (Overall Plan)

Each June since 1996, hundreds of leaders of America’s recreation community have gathered in Washington, D.C., to take part in meetings and events designed to:

Increase the visibility of outdoor recreation on the national policy-making level

Heighten the understanding and appreciation of recreation’s importance to the nation’s health, economy and quality of life

Provide an opportunity to highlight key recreation policy initiatives and programs

Recognize outstanding leadership on behalf of outdoor recreation

Support the efforts of the American Recreation Coalition