A parks professional, a neighborhood activist and a recreation enthusiast have been named winners of this year’s Florence B. Wager Awards. The awards honor people who have had a significant impact on development of parks, trails and recreation programs in Clark County; their namesake is a major local parks booster.
The Leading Eagle award, recognizing a community leader, goes to Don Cannard. Cannard, a retired Vancouver School District administrator and teacher, is a trails activist who spearheaded the development of the Ellen Davis Trail, co-founded the Chinook Trails Association and has been involved in a “vast array” of similar community projects, according to the Parks Foundation.
The V-Formation Flyer, honoring an extraordinary volunteer, goes to Milada Allen, who leads the Felida Neighborhood Association and is a member of numerous boards and volunteer efforts, from the Clark County Planning Commission to the Watershed Stewards.
And the The Tributary Award, recognizing an exemplary parks and recreation professional, goes to Vicki Vanneman, a 32-year veteran of the field. She was on the staff of Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation for 10 years, and now leads special assignments related to the department’s recreation transition plan. She is noted for her commitment to addressing the needs of the underserved and her advocacy in securing external funding to maintain youth, teen and senior services and programs.
