The Chenango Greenway Conservancy selected Vicki and Russell Merritt as Volunteers of the Year. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – The Chenango Greenway Conservancy presented the 2022 Volunteer of the Year award to Vicki and Russell Merritt at its annual membership meeting on February 1.

The Merritts enthusiastically participated in numerous trail cleanups, trail improvements, planted trees for wetlands restoration and helped at multiple Chenango Greenway events during 2022.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of the organization and we are so grateful for people like the Merritts who devote their time and energy to helping us keep the Greenway trails open for everyone to enjoy,” said Sharon Pelosi, Conservancy Chairperson.

She said the trails receive a boost every year from the kids at the Summer Youth Employment Program who help with routine trail maintenance and special projects, but are otherwise 100 percent maintained by volunteers.

The Chenango Greenway organizes several volunteer work days throughout the year, relying on a network of volunteers to complete everything from routine mowing and trimming to trail construction on their own.

The Chenango Greenway Conservancy is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity organized in 2006 to develop a network of multiple use recreation trails in and around the City of Norwich.

The organization oversees close to 500 acres of land in the greater Norwich area that is maintained for public outdoor recreation including the Riverwalk Trail in the City of Norwich, the Stone Quarry, Patsy’s Riverview and Three Amigos.

To learn more about the Chenango Greenway Conservancy and become a volunteer or a member, visit the Chenango Greenway website, www.chenangogreenway.org or find them on Facebook.

– From the Chenango Greenway Conservancy