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Fairgoers support the Fairgrounds Trail
Author: Al Christophersen, Broadwater County Trails

Fairgoers Support the Fairgrounds Trail

Al Christophersen

Broadwater County Trails

The Broadwater County Trails (BCT) team members set up an informational booth in the Commercial Building at this year’s Broadwater County Fair and Rodeo to provide visitors with in-depth information on what has and is going on with the implementation of the Trails Vision Plan, to gather comments and register support for pursuing grants for the Fairgrounds Trail.

The Fairgrounds Trail is identified as a multi-use trail on the north side of Highway 12 from its junction with N. Harrison Street to the fairgrounds main entrance. This trail was one of the recommendations from the 2020 Fairgrounds Master Plan. In the Trails Vision Plan, it is incorporated as one of the priority trails to be pursued for development. This trail is proposed as a hard surface 8-10-foot-wide path with a gravel shoulder allowing for pedestrian/equestrian use. It would provide a safe, non-motorized off-the-highway travel route from Townsend and surrounding community to the fairgrounds, eventually a part of a larger loop trail system

Visitors to the booth at the Fair shared their experiences and excitement to see this particular trail developed. They provided their signatures to a “petition of support” that BCT will be submitting with grant applications for funding work on this trail. The BCT will be hosting open house community gatherings and meeting with community organizations to continue discussing and compiling support for this trail and the Trail Vision Plan.

Gratitude and excitement were also expressed that the asphalt trail from the city limits north along Highway 12/287 to the Indian Road Campground was being resurfaced. This project involves the removal of asphalt that is damaged by ingrowing vegetation and replacing it with new asphalt, repair of minor cracks and soft edges, and the entire trail length resealed. Work is anticipated to be accomplished this fall.

Booth visitors expressed enthusiasm to see forward movement implementing elements of the trail plan, frustration that no alternative pedestrian safe travel route exists over the Missouri River near Townsend, concerns over the highway expansions north of Townsend without inclusion of roadside trails and underpasses, and ideas of other trail needs across Broadwater County.

Because of the discussions and concerns expressed to the trail team members, the BCT encourages people to attend the MDT open house meeting on August 20th at the Flynn Building. People need to express their thoughts not only about the highway construction but about trail needs along these highways, pedestrian safety concerns, wildlife/pedestrian underpasses and speed limits.

BCT would like to thank those sponsors who supported our efforts during the Fair weekend with raffle donations: Town and Ranch Ace Hardware, Bulldog Builders/goats floats, Well-Done Jewelry, Townsend Mercantile and the Wight Family. Congratulations to our raffle winners and Thank You to all who supported us by purchasing raffle tickets.

The BCT will be meeting at the Lodge, August 13, 6 pm for their monthly meeting. Come join the team and get involved in making Townsend and Broadwater County a safer, healthier and more connected community.

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PhotoCredit: Al Christopherson
Image 1 Caption: Booth at the 2026 Broadwater County Fair Photo Credit: Al Christopherson