November 30, 2007

From Doug Wicks and the RTI Board

To Friends of River’s Edge Trail
A year end trail update

The River’s Edge Trail and I both went through some extensive deferred maintenance
in 2007 and we both continued to grow and improve.

Thanks to Trail Friends like you, RTI was able to play a key role this year in acquiring the property across from Giant Springs and paving the trail through the State Park. We wrote grants and assisted moving the design process forward on a half dozen exciting new trail segments and projects to be constructed within the next 18 months.

Please help us. Your year end donation to RTI will help leverage grants for trail design and construction and help us reach the 2008 goals listed on the back of this letter.

RTI is working with many agencies and partners to fill the remaining gaps in our trail system while that is still possible. We are working to link River’s Edge Trail with more neighborhoods and community destinations and to make it safer and more functional, fun and beautiful. Your financial support will help make the most of time-sensitive and unique opportunities that will enhance our public riverfront for generations.

Thanks for your help.

Happy Trails,

Progress Photos for 2007

River’s Edge Trail - 2007 Progress

Check out our pictures of progress.
Three grants and partner contributions combined to overlay 1.25 miles of asphalt trail between Crooked Falls Overlook and Heritage Park.
.
The $140.000 project repaired crack damage on popular trail segments through Giant Springs State Park that were paved in 1994 and 1995.

Several smaller section repairs and a re-alignment of a trail segment near Volunteer Pond brought the rest of the trail up to standards and date.

For the first time ever, our entire refurbished 13+ miles of paved trail received fresh centerline striping and some upgraded signing.

Volunteers from the Great Falls Bicycle Club and MCC built the final single-track segments of the High Plains Trail on National Trails Day.

RTI wrote a State Trails grant to pave the Black Eagle Connector Trail that includes this former railroad overpass of 15th Street North.

RTI volunteers worked with PPL Montana to open the Cochrane Dam Trail Crossing for 7 weekends during the 2007 season.

One of the best of many events on the trail in 2007 was the 1st ever One Half Marathon organized by the Assphault Kickers Running Club.
.
Trail volunteers planted over 100 trees and installed many new memorial benches and this shelter near Black Eagle Memorial Island.

A great 12th Annual Blues & Brews party filled the Convention Center and helped raise match funds for Bay Drive Trail construction.

Back to the top