The Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) has named McKinleyville Community Services District Director and McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee member Mary Burke the 2019 North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion. Burke is being recognized for her leadership in promoting better planning, infrastructure, and community engagement in active transportation in McKinleyville. Burke co-founded the McKinleyville Community Trails Coalition in 2017 and recently spearheaded the formation of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee’s first active transportation subcommittee.
“When it comes to walking and biking in McKinleyville, Director Burke has played the role of a visionary leader as well as an engaged, hard-working citizen,” said CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske. “She has raised the profile of active transportation in this historically car-dominated community and created a momentum for improvement that won’t soon be slowed.”
“I am honored to receive this award, and I accept it on behalf of the members of our community that have put energy into active transportation planning for McKinleyville,” said Burke. “The work we do now to make it easier, safer, and more fun to walk and ride will improve our health and will benefit generations to come. As an appeal to those who have an interest in serving your community, please consider joining MCSD’s Recreation Advisory Committee or the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee to help advance solutions to active transportation needs.”
The North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion award is given each year to a leader who furthers CRTP’s mission of “promoting transportation solutions that protect and support a healthy environment, healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy economy on the North Coast.” Burke is the second recipient of the award. State Senator Mike McGuire received the inaugural 2018 award for his work and vision of making the Great Redwood Trail a reality.
“Although it sometimes receives less attention than other local communities, McKinleyville has the third-largest population in Humboldt County,” said Fiske. “Improving bikeability and walkability here will improve public health and quality of life for many people, reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants, and help support a vibrant local economy. Burke’s leadership has put active transportation planning at the top of the agenda in McKinleyville, and for that she fully deserves to be named the 2019 North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion.”
Mary Burke receives the 2019 North Coast Transportation Champion award from Coalition Executive Director Colin Fiske.