JANESVILLE
After almost three decades of trail building and maintenance, Dean and Jayne Paynter are experts at cutting and removing buckthorn and other invasive shrubs.
The job is difficult, but you wonât ever hear them whine.
âThey never complain,â said Janesville Parks Director Cullen Slapak. âThey always have a can-do attitude.â
That is one of the reasons he nominated the Paynters for the annual Fellowship Award from the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association.
They received the honor this week for their outstanding contribution to the trail system in Janesville and Rock County.
Since 1992, the Paynters have removed brush and led many trail-building efforts. They attended meetings in support of trails to counter those who said âNot in my backyard.â They mowed and plowed trails, talked to politicians and service clubs, and planted prairies.