2019 LEADING EAGLE Award Winner is Devoted to Camas Legacy Land Project

We are pleased to announce JERRY ACHESON as the 2019 Florence B. Wager LEADING EAGLE Award recipient.

Not many communities have the benefit of 30 years of impassioned leadership from one individual. However, Camas has had Jerry Acheson at the helm as Parks and Recreation Manager for nearly 30 years. The population of Camas has increased by 350% during that time and Jerry has been instrumental in helping to create a beloved parks system that will maintain the natural beauty of Camas’ trails, open spaces, and parks long into the future.

“Typically you’ll find Jerry quietly working behind the scenes to accomplish things that benefit the citizens of Camas and Clark County,” noted City Administrator, Pete Capell. “The past several years Jerry has been working on a legacy project and this has brought Jerry and his dedication into the spotlight.”

Through devotion to the legacy project, Jerry acquired a Clark County Conservation Futures Grant. This combined with bonds supplemented by the City of Camas launched the charge to acquire 140 acres on the north shore of Lacamas Lake. This Legacy Lands Project will ultimately provide space for the community to enjoy passive and active recreation all around Lacamas Lake. Camas-Washougal Wildlife League and the CJ Dens, Mills, Rose and Buma Family properties as part of the Legacy Lands Project and Jerry’s vision. To-date 70 acres of the project have been donated or acquired. Through Jerry’s service to the community and property owners, purchase of the remaining properties are in progress. Once all the land is acquired, plans to create large community parks, build connecting trails and possibly restore the Leadbetter house for wedding and special occasion use will continue.

In addition to the Legacy Lands Project, Jerry has been working with Georgia-Pacific to acquire some of their property for the City of Camas as they complete their partial closure of the paper mill. Camas Parks and Recreation has gained the two dams that create Lacamas Lake and the Mill Ditch, which previously deliver water to the paper mill. Plans for the ditch include converting it to a multi-modal trail that will connect many trails to the downtown area.

The Lacamas Lake and Georgia-Pacific projects bring Jerry’s vision to life of a parks system that conserves and highlights Camas’ natural beauty and attraction long into the future. We are all the beneficiaries of his service and passion.

Join us in celebrating Jerry Acheson at the May 14th Annual Luncheon & Membership Meeting from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Tickets and table sponsorships are still available.

The LEADING EAGLE AWARD recognizes a community leader who has made contributions that have significantly influenced the life, health, and direction of our parks, trails, and recreational programs.

Learn more about the Parks Foundation’s Florence B. Wager Awards and previous recipients click here.