Meigs Award Town Meeting: A Vision for Finishing Manayunk’s River Trail and Towpath

We are thrilled to present the 2017 Henry Meigs Environmental Leadership Award, our highest honor, to longtime community leader Kay Sykora.  Founder of the Manayunk Development Corporation in the early 1980s and its former executive director, Kay has tirelessly championed the Schuylkill River Trailthrough Manayunk and Roxborough, leading a multi-decade effort to transform the canal towpath into the River Trail, now one of Manayunk’s most-loved amenities. She also founded Destination Schuylkill River to re-connect Manayunk to the Schuylkill River, has been involved in restoring the canal, and is equally passionate about making the towpath a more vibrant and enticing community amenity. A longtime resident of Roxborough, she has been a leader in the Central Roxborough Civic Association and co-founded Roxborough Green, a community tree planting and gardening project.

After being presented the award, Kay will be joined by a distinguished panel for an interactive discussion on finishing Manayunk’s River Trail and improving the canal and towpath. Panelists include the Bicycle Coalition’s Sarah Clark Stuart, architect and planner Robert Thomas, Upper Roxborough Civic Assn. president Rich Giordano, and Lower Merion planner Chris Leswing.  After the town meeting, enjoy a reception with Kay, the panel, and the community.

Press inquiries may be directed to Executive Director Mike Weilbacher at [email protected]

All photos by Susan Beard Design Photography