~ Press release provided by the Luray-Hawksbill Greenway Foundation
LURAY — The Luray-Hawksbill Greenway Foundation recently recognized two board members as Members Emeritus. Kenneth Beyer and Eleanor Ames were awarded this special honor, and thanked for their significant and ongoing contributions to Luray’s award-winning Greenway with a celebration lunch.
Ken Beyer is affectionately known as the “Father of the Hawksbill Greenway.” After a career in the U.S. Air Force, he and his wife, who were avid hikers, moved to Luray because they fell in love with the area.
In 1999, as President of the Luray Tree Board, Ken attended a meeting about greenways with Pat O’Brien, then-Director of Luray’s Parks & Recreation. When they returned, they proposed the idea of a greenway along Hawksbill Creek to the Luray Council. Their proposal was adopted, and the first of four phases of the Greenway opened in 2001.
With the town’s support, Ken enlisted other community leaders to form the Luray Hawksbill Greenway Foundation in June 2009. He served as President for 12 years, and an additional three years as a Director, before retiring a few months ago. In 2024, Ken was honored with a park bench at Ruffner Plaza.
Although member Eleanor Ames retired from the Foundation Board a few years ago, she continues to be actively involved in Greenway operations. Eleanor and her husband moved to Page County 2001 and opened Bluemont Bed & Breakfast. She served as the Secretary of the Greenway Foundation for 12 years.
While she has stepped down from the Board, she continues to manage the website, Facebook, publications, and marketing. In addition to being named as Member Emeritus, Eleanor is being honored with a permanent plaque thanking her for her continuing contributions. Soon you’ll be able to see it along the Greenway in one of her favorite spots, at the North Greenway Entrance across from Bulldog Field.
Although retired from the Greenway Board, as Members Emeritus Ken and Eleanor will continue to be involved in promoting the Greenway. The Foundation is extremely grateful to be able to call upon their expertise and wealth of knowledge, particularly as it works with the Town of Luray to plan the next phase of construction. Phase V will connect the Greenway to Yager Spring and the Redwell/Isabella Furnace site, a historical area that formed the foundation of Luray’s early economic development.
For more information about the Foundation and the planned extension of the Greenway, go to hawksbillgreenway.org or the Town of Luray’s website.
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
VIDEO ~ Page Valley Livin’ visits Yagers Spring to discuss its storied past and its potential future
Greenway takes first step toward Yagers Spring, budget, taxes and other news from Luray
Page Free Clinic, Hawksbill Greenway Foundation recipients of SVEC’s Operation Round Up
The Legacy Inn brings new life, new model to former Goshen House along Luray’s greenway
Be the first to comment