December 1, 2004

From Doug Wicks
and the River's Edge Trail Board

To corporate and Agency Partners
Valued Consultants and contractors
Key Trail Supporters and Volunteers

Friends of the River’s Edge Trail

River’s Edge Trail 2004-2005
A year end progress report

Wow! This has been the most amazing year of trail construction ever!

Next Spring a beautiful new trail will extend from West Bank Park to Black Eagle Memorial Island. The new island day use area will also be served with new and improved road access through historic Smelter Hill.

Thanks for your help in making the many improvements and extensions to River’s Edge Trail a reality this year. The link on the right is a photo summary of 2004 and trail goals for 2005
plus more images of 2004 progress!

The Board of Recreational Trails, Inc. and I wish you a Happy Holiday season and look forward to working with you next year on the trail. Together we have made Great Falls a better place to live, play and to visit.

Thanks again for an amazing year.

Happy Trails,

Back to the top

River’s Edge Trail - 2004 Progress
Completed new trail segment between 15th St. and the PPL MT service road
Substantially completed Black Eagle road widening, parking and turnaround
Construction well underway on the Refinery to 15th St. trail segment
Placed 15 memorial benches, 4 tables and 2 picnic shelters along the trail
Completed design and permitting for boardwalk piers on Bay Drive Trail
Completed Sulphur Springs Trailhead and ADA path to river view point
Organized and staffed a successful 2004 Blues & Brews fundraiser
Worked with the Great Falls Tribune to produce River’s Edge Trail Map & Guide Continued negotiations with BNSF for underpass easement on Bay Drive Trail
Planted 12 new trees, 500 vines. Mulched and watered existing trail trees
River’s Edge Trail honored with first Montana Trail of the Year Award by FWP
Worked extensively with Montana Conservation Corps on many trail projects
Worked with PPL MT to open the Cochrane Dam Trail Crossing for 16 days
Assisted completion of roadway sign plan for 3 N. Shore trailheads, Black Eagle
Trail is venue for a half marathon, a Mountain Bike Race and the Montana Cup run
Organized hundreds of hours of trail cleanup, weed control, maintenance projects
Assisted with Inventory Assessment, consultant selection for Whitmore Ravine
Design for upstream extension of trail to Upper River Road is completed
Raised and matched donations with federal grants and special projects
Completed cleanup, fence removal and vehicle barrier projects at Smelter Hill

River’s Edge Trail - 2005 Goals
Assist with a Grand Opening celebration for Black Eagle Memorial Island
Complete and open new trail between West Bank Park and B.E. Island
Complete construction of Phase 1 of the Bay Drive Trail
Construct the first phase boardwalk piers on the Bay Drive Trail
Secure grant funding for construction of Phase 2 of the Bay Drive Trail
Secure grant funding for ADA gravel trail from Crooked Falls to Whitmore Ravine
Complete new single-track loop trail between Ryan Trailhead and Dry Waterfall
Plant 50 new trees along newly constructed trail segments
Complete exterior painting of boxcar and caboose at the 20th St. trailhead
Work with PPL MT to continue public use of the Cochrane Dam Trail Crossing
Add 3 trail shelters, 3 tables, 1 info kiosk and 5 benches to new trail segments
Complete all roadway signage to the 3 North Shore Trailheads and B.E. Island
Produce and distribute high-quality fold-up River’s Edge Trail Map
Update all 15 information kiosks with permanent maps and trail info signs
Organize and staff a successful 2005 Blues & Brews trail fundraiser
Stabilize the piers and re-deck the West Bank Park trail bridge
Complete entry towers and West side landscaping at Weissman Trail Bridge
Work 8 weeks with MCC crews on trail maintenance, repairs and improvements