Ex-BPRD official Ronning honored for trails efforts
The Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council presented the annual Doug Newman Memorial Award to Bruce Ronning at the 2018 Oregon Trails Summit on Oct. 5.
Bruce Ronning is from Deschutes County and began his recreational career at the City of Eugene Parks Department. Bruce worked in their Outdoor Programs section, helping many Oregonians learn to ski, paddle, hike and bike.
During his career, Ronning served on several committees overseen by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: ORTAC, the Recreational Trails Program advisory committee, the Local Government Grant Program advisory committee, and review committees for development of Oregon’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and the Oregon Statewide Recreation Trails Plan.
Ronning retired from public service after 24 years with the Bend Park and Recreation District. During his tenure, Bruce served as the Outdoor Programs Manager, Long Range Planner, and finally as the Director of Planning and Development. During that time, 65 miles of the 95-mile Bend Urban Trails Plan were developed.
The Doug Newman Memorial Award recognizes an Oregonian whose efforts have inspired, benefited and contributed to the trails and trail users of Oregon. The award pays tribute to Doug Newman, an avid outdoorsman, author and writer for the Eugene Register-Guard. He also worked extensively with the University of Oregon Outdoors Program. Diagnosed with polio as a child, Newman died in 1992.
ORTAC was established by the Legislature in 1971 to advise OPRD and its partners in the development and promotion of high quality non-motorized trail systems throughout Oregon. The Council is made up of seven volunteer members appointed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission to represent the five Oregon congressional districts. The Council meets four times annually in different locations across the state.
