The history of America's rail-trails and community pathways is ripe with terrific stories about community-minded individuals who took the bull by the horns and turned grand ideas into ribbon cuttings.

All across the country there have been volunteers who have dedicated years, decades of their lives to the funding and construction of trails projects - often facing stern criticism long before the true value of their work became evident.

Alabama's Janice "Teko" Wiseman was one such individual. This week, her passing is being mourned across the state by trails advocates and a broad array of people she inspired in a lifetime of volunteerism, community action and a passion for helping other people that has now left a generous legacy. She was 83.

Sixteen years ago, the Fairhope resident and Mobile native dreamed of building a countywide network of hiking and biking trails, joining people, towns and communities in Baldwin County, all while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Never satisfied just to dream, Wiseman took action and founded the Baldwin County Trailblazers.

A passionate activist, Wiseman is described as a source of strength, wisdom and love to family and friends. She worked tirelessly with volunteers and local officials, securing more than $6 million in private, federal and local support to construct the 32-mile Eastern Shore Trail. In 2010, the National Park Service designated the trail a National Recreational Trail. For her work, Wiseman received the Alabama Trail Advocate award from the nonprofit organization American Trails.

"There are very few true visionaries in this world, but Teko was one them," says Fairhope City Councilwoman Debbie Quinn. "Teko took an idea and brought communities and dollars together to make it happen."

The trail was just one of many endeavors Teko and her husband, Dr. Hollis Wiseman, took on as civic leaders during their 62 years of marriage. Though deeply devoted to their family and six children, the Wisemans still found time to change the landscape of their community. Hollis founded the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of South Alabama Women and Children's Hospital. In the 1960s the couple created Alabamians Behind Local Education (ABLE), a movement to create a smooth transition for school integration. Teko helped found Keep Mobile Beautiful in the 1980s and was its coordinator for 10 years. Upon moving to Baldwin County 20 years ago, Hollis was instrumental in building the Fairhope Public Library, and Teko conceived the idea for connecting communities and people through miles of sidewalk. 

Today, thousands of adults and children each year benefit from Teko's leadership by way of the Eastern Shore National Recreation Trail. They search for reptiles at Daphne's Gator Alley, run the wooded, hilly path through Montrose, stroll along beautiful Mobile Bay in Fairhope, or cycle Scenic Highway 98 past the historic Grand Hotel.

Always full of energy, Teko most recently had a new vision that would connect the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay with South Baldwin County. Her favorite motto was "Foley or bust." Sadly, she passed away with only three miles left to complete on the Eastern Shore Trail.

The family requests that all memorials be made to the Baldwin County Trailblazers, P.O. Box 701, Daphne, AL 36526, or online at www.thetrailblazers.org.