Three Butler County municipalities and three from neighboring Allegheny County were recognized at a state conference for working together on a regional trail system.

Adams, Cranberry and Jackson townships in Butler County and Pine and Marshall townships and Bradford Woods borough in Allegheny County received the Excellence in Intergovernmental Cooperation Award from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Governments.

The award was established to honor communities that are working together to find creative ways to complete projects and provide services more efficiently and cost-effectively. It was given out during the 96th annual Educational Conference and Exhibit Show Monday, in Hershey.

Jerry Andree, Cranberry Township manager, said the award reflects township supervisors' commitment to create a connected community, something residents have wanted for years.

“It also reflects our mandate to advance mutually-shared visions with our neighbors, as there is power in collaboration,” Andree said. “Our partner communities ... have the same commitment and it is exciting to work with partners with the same passion.”

The municipalities have been working together on the Commodore Perry Regional Trail, a trail network that would connect each community using existing infrastructure and new connections of sidewalks, dirt trails and bikeways.

“The trail route highlights the existing sidewalk and trails of the participating municipalities and the links needed to create a regional trail network,” said Larry Kurpakus, Pine Township director of code administration and land development.

When completed, the trail will be more than 50 miles long and connect five municipal parks.

The ultimate goal is to connect Commodore Perry Regional Trail to the larger trail systems of the Rachel Carson Trail, starting with Allegheny County's North Park and the North Country Trail to the north.

Additionally, the long-range plan for the trail includes a secondary network of paths to connect to additional neighborhoods and commercial areas.

All six municipalities adopted the trail plan last year, and some have begun working on sections of the trail.

A map of the trail system can be found at www.cranberrytownship.org/2670/Commodore-Perry-Regional-Trail.