REM Award Honorees (2013) — Peter Garrett (Kennebec Messalonskee Trails)
Kennebec Messalonskee Trails is pleased to honor its Number 1 volunteer and president, Peter Garrett, with this year’s REM Award!
Peter was instrumental in helping the trails team that was established under REM to grow into the independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is now known as Kennebec Messalonskee Trails (KMTrails). Inspired by his trail experiences from his home in England and other parts of the world, Peter’s dreams, leadership, and patience have led to the development of over 30 miles of trails in the area for walking, biking, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities. His success working with the city, towns, landowners and volunteers is due to his win-win attitude, where he helps everyone see the benefits from the trail system.
Due largely to Peter’s efforts, KMTrails has received many recognitions, including the “2007 Community Service Project of the Year” award from the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, Prevention magazine and the American Association of Medical Podiatrists designated Waterville as “Maine’s #1 Walking City.” Most recently, Peter’s many patient years of discussions with Madison Paper Industries have resulted in MPI’s donating 45 acres of land along the banks of the Kennebec River, which will allow KMTrails to develop a trail to connect the Rotary Centennial Trail in Benton with its larger system of established trails already established and with the 2500-mile East Coast Greenway.
As Peter’s dreams come true, it is a win-win situation for everyone in the Waterville area.
For more information about Kennebec Messalonskee Trails, please visit its website.