Cynthia Kaune of Gales Ferry recently received her Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, for her work on the Colonel Ledyard Park Hiking Trail.

With the help of family and friends, Kaune cleared debris from the trail and property, discovering a historical home foundation in the process.

She also built a 36-foot bridge and relocated two other bridges to make the trail more accessible. A rededication ceremony was held for the trail on Sept. 16, with state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, Mayor Fred Allyn III and parks and recreation director Don Grise.

Kaune also earned her Bronze Award by cleaning up the Gales Ferry Cemetery and her Silver Award by collecting bottles and cans to purchase gas cards for people undergoing cancer treatment in New Haven.