Dick Naperala of Traverse City, a founding member of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club, was awarded the 5th annual Jim Mudgett Trail Pioneer Award by Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails.DICK NAPERALA holds the Jim Mudgett Trail Pioneer Award. With him is Karen Mudgett, the widow of the late Dr. James Mudgett.
The award was given at TART Trails’ annual Octoberfest recognition dinner Oct. 2 at Black Star Farms in Bingham Township, and presented to Naperala by 2007 recipient Tim Brick of Solon Township.
TART Trails cited Naperala’s work in the development and maintenance of 90 miles of hiking tails in region for over 15 years, and his work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to re-route the North Country Trail off of the Shore-to-Shore horse trail to connect Muncie Lakes pathway with the Sand Lakes Quiet Area. He is also a cross country ski groomer for TART Trails.
The award is named after the late Dr. James Mudgett of Traverse City and Leelanau County.