At its annual meeting held Oct. 20, York County Rail Trail Authority presented the 2014 York County Rail Trail Awards, paying tribute to those who demonstrated extraordinary support to the authority and its projects.

The Trail Organization Award went to New Freedom Heritage, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 to preserve New Freedom’s history and build greater community involvement.

Accepting the award was Diane Folger, board member of New Freedom Heritage and event organizer for the fifth annual New Freedom Fest that was held Sept. 20.

New Freedom Fest is a community celebration held each September along the Heritage Rail Trail County Park, at the New Freedom Train Station, and throughout the borough.

Carl Knoch presents the Government Leader Award to Tammy Klunk, director of the York County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Carl Knoch presents the Government Leader Award to Tammy Klunk, director of the York County Department of Parks and Recreation. (Submitted)

New Freedom Heritage established and operates a local history museum in the borough.

The Government Leader Award was presented to Tammy Klunk, Director of the York County Department of Parks & Recreation for her public service providing York County residents with the best park and trail experiences.

Klunk has served in various capacities for the county parks department since graduating from York College in 1983. She provided administrative support to the Rail Trail Authority during the early 1990s as development of the Heritage Rail Trail was just beginning and worked tirelessly on the first capital campaign to raise funds to support the rail trail project.

The Trail Champion Award was presented to Don Gogniat, visionary and advocate of the Grand History Trail, a conceptual network of trails encompassing Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Frederick, Maryland; Gettysburg, Hanover and York, a region rich in the stories and commemorative sites of our country’s history.

Gogniat also served for ten years as vice-chairman of the Rail Trail Authority.

Authority Chairman Carl Knoch congratulated the 2014 recipients, stating, “These awards celebrate those who have made the Heritage Rail Trail what it is today — an exceptionally well-maintained, county-owned rail trail that serves locally as a nucleus for small town celebrations and nationally as a link between many ‘grand history’ sites.”