Oakland County Employee Received Quality People, Quality County Award

Larry Falardeau, principal planner and coordinator for Oakland County’s Environmental Stewardship Program in the Planning and Economic Development Division (PEDS), is a 2007 Quality People, Quality County (Q2) Award recipient.  The award has been presented every year since 1993 by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to individuals or corporations in Oakland County that have had a positive impact on the community.

Falardeau, the first county employee to receive the Q2 Award in its 15 year history, was recognized for his environmental stewardship. Falardeau used his experience in developing a master plan for the Paint Creek Trail in 1986 to create the vision for a countywide Rails-to-Trails network.  Because of Falardeau’s hard work, determination and leadership, the county’s trail system today covers 90 miles and runs through a dozen communities in  Oakland County with another 117 miles under review for possible inclusion in the linked network.

The framework for the trail system originally envisioned by Falardeau had three components:

1. A cross-county trail running through the heart of the county
2. A north-county trail loop accessing the county’s rich parklands and natural resources
3. A system of local secondary links to neighborhoods and community features.

Falardeau not only oversees the Rails-to-Trails system, but he also provides stewardship for the county’s abundant water resources which include five major river corridors and 1,400 lakes along with the green space that adjoins the waterways.

In addition to being the consummate conservationist and  environmentalist, Falardeau finds time to engage in water color painting, woodworking, carpentry, kayaking, canoeing and trout fishing.

Larry Falardeau’s legacy will be the gift he gave to Oakland County and its citizens.  The gift of a cleaner environment, healthy recreational opportunities and a world made just a little bit better for his being in it.

To learn about the Quality People, Quality County Awards, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer, at 248-858-1048.