MAP Awards Presented by Stifel

At Paving the Way, Trailnet will introduce a new award series to honor outstanding Members, Advocates and Partners who have made significant contributions to the Streets for All movement. Please join us on November 8 at Wild Carrot to honor these incredible champions. 

Outstanding Trailnet Members: Dan and Connie Burkhardt

Presented by Edward Jones

ABOUT THE AWARD

This award honors an outstanding Trailnet Member who has demonstrated a commitment to fighting for Streets for All. This individual or family has invested significant resources—money, time or energy—into advancing Trailnet’s mission. They inspire others to join the fight.

ABOUT 2023 HONOREE

The Burkhardts founded two St. Louis-based advocacy organizations, the Katy Land Trust and Magnificent Missouri. The Katy Land Trust‘s mission is to conserve land along the 225-mile Katy Trail State Park, the longest bike path in the United States. Magnificent Missouri supports land conservation, historic preservation, and economic development within the last 100 miles of the Missouri River Valley. 

Dan and Connie’s journey with Trailnet began in March 2016 when they became members, and together, we embarked on a collaborative effort to present a positive narrative about St. Louis – from our front porch at the Gateway Arch to our backyard encompassing the Katy Trail, Missouri Wine Country, and beyond. Our shared desire has always been to transform St. Louis into a premier destination for bicycling and walking enthusiasts.

Outstanding Streets for All Advocate: Hands-Free Missouri Coalition

ABOUT THE AWARD

This award honors an individual, family or organization that has fought for policies that make our region better for people walking, biking or using public transportation. The honoree has advanced specific advocacy campaigns that have resulted in safer streets for all users. They are exemplary advocates.

ABOUT 2023 HONOREE

The Hands-Free Missouri Coalition is a partnership of safety advocates, victim's advocates, law enforcement officers, state highway department employees, and insurance personnel that are fighting for safer roads by fighting against distracted driving. In total, the coalition has 70 individual members representing 32 organizations who have come together to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in Missouri in hopes of reducing the number of crashes each year attributed to distracted driving. 

Thanks to the hard work of this coalition, the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law was finally passed in 2023. The coalition continues to work to educate drivers about the new law and the dangers of distracted driving.

Outstanding Streets for All Partner: 4theVille

Presented by Greater St. Louis Inc.

ABOUT THE AWARD

This award honors an individual, family or organization that has worked hand-in-hand with Trailnet and other community members to fight for Streets for All. The honoree has contributed essential knowledge, skills, time and resources to a project that spurred progress in the region. They are passionate, multi-dimensional allies who share our vision.

ABOUT 2023 HONOREE

4theVille is community-based tourism and arts organization created by multi-generational Ville residents and volunteers to restore pride in the legacy of The Ville, a historic African American community in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, and inspire reinvigorated community ownership. 

Trailnet and 4theVille have worked together for many years to produce the annual Juneteenth Community Ride. The organizations continue to team up to make it easier for people in The Ville Community to get around and explore opportunities for green infrastructure. 4TheVille’s Cultural Boulevard Project aims to revitalize a stretch of Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. into a walkable, bikeable hub of culture, history and economic development in North St. Louis. In 2021, Trailnet and 4TheVille hosted a pop-up park and traffic calming demonstration that celebrated The Ville’s heritage, highlighted talented Black artists, and imagined The Ville’s potential. With a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, Trailnet and 4theVille completed a Mobility Infrastructure Report to support a neighborhood transportation plan for The Ville community.