2011 River's Edge Trail Goals

Goals for River’s Edge Trail in 2011

We look forward to working with the City of Great Falls, Cascade County, MT FWP, MT Dept. of Transportation, PPL Montana, and other agencies and partners to complete these projects:

·         Confirm a preferred alignment for a new trail to fill the gap between River’s Edge Trail at Black Eagle Memorial Island and the North Shore Trail at Rainbow Dam. Prepare plans for both a paved accessible trail and a single-track trail. Identify priority segments that could be built with various trail grants. Write grants and work with partners to construct the initials phases.

·         Match and implement a Community Transportation Enhancement Program grant to identify priority Bike Routes. Solicit input from Neighborhood Councils, the bicycling community and others, and install the new signage on those selected routes. Continue to work on ways to make Great Falls a more bicycle friendly community.

·         Implement a Safe Routes to Schools grant to design the Riverview Elementary Bike/Pedestrian facility along Smelter Ave. W. and select the preferred connections to link with River’s Edge Trail in West Bank Park.

·         Continue to work with local and state transportation planners to select the preferred trail alignment between the existing trail system and Fox Farm and southwest neighborhoods and secure funding for design and construction of the selected route.

·         Work with agencies to develop and begin to implement a Comprehensive Trail Maintenance Plan.

We also plan to work with many partners in 2011 to:

·         Work with community partners to design new trail signage that will provide destination and distance information at entry points and intersections of the trail. Coordinate way-finding signage with the Downtown Master Plan.

·         Complete the entry towers and interpretive signage on the Weissman Trail Bridge and develop and place several more interpretive panels along other segments of the trail.

·         Work with community donors and the Park & Recreation Department to locate, acquire and place some more great outdoor art and sculpture along the trail.

·         Continue to work with Scouts, youth and community service groups and individual volunteers to perform spring and summer cleanup and assist agencies with trail grooming, weed control, maintenance, graffiti removal, kiosk updates, tree planting and special projects during the year.

Help make 2011 another amazing year for River’s Edge Trail!