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BCT Providing Excellent Trails
Author: Al Christophersen, Broadwater County Trails

Al Christophersen

Broadwater County Trails

The Broadwater County Trails (BCT) team, a Broadwater County Development Corporation (BCDC) program, is actively providing outstanding leadership in the development of the first two major trail projects within the county. The first is the identification and development of the Missouri River Paddlers Trail 43. This trail has brought out the talents of many team members. The new kiosks, now newly installed at the three input sites, were created and built and the signs were designed by team members. The signs have been professionally printed, made of durable, UV-protected materials, and were installed at the Lower Toston Dam, Toston Bridge, and York’s Island paddlers trail access sites this past weekend by team members. This work completed the final touches on making this trail fully usable by appropriately informed users. The signs reflect local Lewis and Clark Expedition history, river trail use etiquette and safety. River trails are not common across our country, but trails set up like the Missouri River Paddlers Trail 43 are a reflection of the quality of people that care for our local resources and that live, work, and play in Broadwater County, along with visitors that come to enjoy quality recreational experiences.

The second trail is the asphalt trail connecting the north edge of Townsend to the Indian Road Day Use and Campground site. This trail has provided a quality recreational pedestrian facility for the past 25 years. The years have taken its toll on the condition of the trail and its condition has deteriorated, creating safety hazards to many users. The BCT team, with Rotary and Broadwater County Trust Board grants and help from Interstate Engineering, applied for and received a Trail Stewardship grant through Fish, Wildlife, and Parks this past winter. The work on the grant has now led to BCDC/BCT awarding a contract to repair and resurface this trail. Work is scheduled to begin August 31 and should be completed within a few weeks. The trail will be closed during this time to allow the contract workers to proceed uninterrupted as they remove damaged asphalt, grade the shoulders to allow water to drain from the trail surface and then to reseal the asphalt. This will make the trail smoother and not have the vegetation berms across it. Soft spots and small cracks will also be repaired. The trail will be a much safer trail for walkers, runners, families with small children, seniors, and residents needing a nice, smooth trail for their walkers or wheelchairs.

BCT is proud and excited to bring these two trail projects to completion for residents and visitors of Broadwater County. We look forward to our next trail efforts, the Fairgrounds trail and county parkland trails, and to continue to build upon these successful efforts. The community's continued support is critically important as we seek competitive grants to help us develop these and other recreational trails. Thank you all for your support. See you out on the community trails.

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PhotoCredit: Broadwater Trail Committee
Image 1 Caption: York’s Island Kiosk portal sign Photo Provided by Broadwater Trail Committee
Image 2 Caption: Jen Dalrymple, Terri Allzer, Roy Barkley, Al Christophersen at the Toston Bridge Access Site Kiosk Photo Provided by Broadwater Trail Committee