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Broadwater Trails Committee Continues to Move Forward
Author: Al Christophersen

Broadwater Trails Committee Continues to Move Forward

Al Christophersen

The Broadwater Trails Committee continues to move forward along several paths to improve outdoor recreation, safety and community connection opportunities across the County.

Utilizing the Trail Vision Plan’s trail maps and vision, we continue to step up grant writing, coordination and collaboration efforts with state and federal agencies, neighboring partners, non-profits and national organizations.

The committee has established internal teams to pursue specific efforts to build and expand digital trail mapping, designs for and select program logos, making connections for participation in community events and fundraising.

Grants:

BCDC Trails Awarded Funding for Front Street Trail Project. Good news for local trail users. The BCDC Trails Committee has been selected to receive most of the requested funds for the Front Street Asphalt Trail Resurfacing Project. This funding is through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Trail Stewardship Program. This project covers the paved trail along Front Street (Highway 287) north from the Townsend city limits to the Indian Road Day Use area.

This grant will provide $52,465, leaving roughly $10,000 still needed to fully fund the trail resurfacing. With support already pledged from Rotary and the Broadwater County Trust Board, the committee is now seeking additional donations to help fill the gap. If you would like to help with donations, please contact any of us on the Trails committee.

The group has also applied for several other grants, including one from AARP and is exploring partnerships with Rails-to-Trails and the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance to bring national support to Broadwater County’s growing trail network.

Logos and Digital Maps:

Several committee members are working to create digital maps of trail routes identified within the Trails Vision Plan so residents and visitors can easily find information about local routes. Others are designing a new Trails Program logo for use on publications and outreach materials, along with a trail marker logo to identify trail numbers on posts throughout the county.

BCDC Trails Committee Gears Up for a Busy Summer. The BCDC Trail Committee is hard at work planning events or participating in other events that bring people together and highlight our growing trail network.

• BCDC Trail Committee volunteers will participate in Rotary’s Epic Cleanup Day, May 16.

• For National Trails Day on June 6, a countywide cleanup is planned along routes in our Trails Vision Plan, as well as on Forest and BLM trails.

• Members are also looking to have an informational walking group or float in the 4th of July parade, showing community pride and support for our trails and outdoor recreation.

• On July 18, mark your calendars for the trail dedication for the Missouri River Paddlers Trail BC 43 at the Lower Toston Dam access site. This trail is the Missouri River below Toston Dam and in Broadwater County. The event will include an inaugural float and river cleanup.

• We are looking into a fun run this summer and a booth at Fall Fest.

• Stay tuned for more details – and join in as we connect Broadwater County through safe trails, teamwork and outdoor fun!

Partnership Coordination:

The BCDC Trails Committee continues to stay closely connected with Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Prickly Pear Land Trust, sharing ideas and information to strengthen trail programs across the region. Representatives from Rails-to-Trails and the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance have also been great partners, helping us learn more about national trail initiatives.

One exciting opportunity ahead is exploring a water trail connection from Twin Bridges to Indian Road, linking the Jefferson River Canoe Trail to Broadwater County’s Paddlers Trail under the Lewis and Clark program. This could bring national visibility to our local trail system and the businesses that support it.

With these collaborations, active projects, and a clear long‑term vision, Broadwater County is moving toward a future where trails, open spaces, and outdoor recreation play a central role in community life and growth.

If you are interested in being a part of the BCDC Trails Committee, please come to the next planned meeting May 14 at 6 pm, at the Lodge in Townsend. We continue to seek volunteers with skills and interests in trails program: marketing, public relations, media, writing articles and newsletters, signs and posters, or actual trail construction-related work and fundraising activities.

Contact Al Christophersen, Trails Committee lead at 406-439-0197, John Hahn, BCDC Co-chair at 406-202-1050 or Carol Hatfield, Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board Chair at 406-431-9656. Email: bcdc@mt.net