RRSP receives Trailblazer Award

Trailblazer Award presented to Reid Roaring River State Park Superintendent Dusty Reid was presented with the Missouri State Parks 2020 Trailblazer Award on May 4. Pictured above, from left, are: Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director; Reid; and Kerry Hays, Roaring River State Park assistant superintendent. Photo courtesy of Missouri State Parks

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"This was a very big honor and the entire staff at Roaring River State Park deserves credit for their hard work and ongoing dedication," said Reid. "The office staff, nature center staff and maintenance staff, as well as our new ranger, Josh Rolls, work every day to ensure our visitors have the best experience possible.

"We know there are a lot of choices out there when families start to plan a vacation, and we want to make sure that Roaring River State Park and the Cassville area is at the top of the list," said Reid.

This year, Bryan recognized three Missouri State Parks employees and staffs with the new Parks 2020 Trailblazer Award.

"This award recognizes exceptional leadership in helping find ways to achieve the goals of Parks 2020, (which are) to increase visitation to 20 million visitors per year, increase revenue by $20 million and have a clear or 20/20 vision to position state parks for the year 2020," said Bryan.

Reid and Roaring River State Park earned the Parks 2020 Trailblazer Award in the parks category. An award was presented to the First State Capitol State Historic Site in the historic sites category, and Connie Schmidt, Missouri State Parks special events coordinator, in the at large category.

"Making the right decisions comes naturally to the team at Roaring River State Park," said Bryan. "That's why I recognized Dusty Reid and Roaring River State Park with our inaugural Parks 2020 Trailblazer Award.

"Whether it is fighting wildfires, embracing State Parks Youth Corps, providing such great experiences for visitors as to receive a rousing standing ovation from the Governor's Cabinet or assisting campers to safety in the face of danger, I know I can count on Dusty and his team," said Bryan. "Congratulations and keep blazing the trail for others to follow."