November 29, 2005
From Doug Wicks and the RTI Board
To Friends of the River’s Edge Trail

A year end progress report
A look forward to the new trails in 2006

Dear Friend of River’s Edge Trail,

A beautiful new trail now extends from West Bank Park to Black Eagle Memorial Island. Many partners, over many years, contributed to the creation of the island Day Use Area and the new trail segments linking it to the River’s Edge Trail.

With your support we have leveraged a number of state and federal grants that helped make it happen and accomplished many other trail maintenance and improvement projects this year.We need your help now more than ever as we move forward to achieve the trail goals for 2006 listed on the back of this letter.

Completing the design and construction of the Bay Drive Trail segments and extending the trail from Odd Fellows Park to Upper River Road share the list with exciting opportunities to extend the trail to Helena and through the former ACM refinery “Smelter Hill” land.

We have been working hard to create this riverfront trail system for over 15 years now. Many of you have been with us every step of the way. Together we have made Great Falls a better place to play, to live and to visit.

We are willing to work hard again next year to keep filling in the remaining gaps in our urban riverfront trail system and to link River’s Edge Trail with more neighborhoods and exciting new destinations.

Thanks for your help.

Happy Trails,

Back to the top

River’s Edge Trail - 2005 Progress

• Paved new trail segment along north shore of Black Eagle Reservoir
• Assisted with public Grand Opening of Black Eagle Memorial Island
• Completed, opened new trail from West Bank Park to B. E. Island
• Assisted with a major cleanup of new Sulphur Springs Trailhead
• Completed accessible trail between Ryan Trailhead and Stone Building
• Worked with PPL MT to open Cochrane Dam Trail Crossing for 16 days
• Placed 24 memorial benches, 6 tables and 2 picnic shelters along trail
• Continued negotiations with BNSF for underpass on Bay Drive Trail
• Worked with City, MDT on extending trail upstream to Upper River Rd.
• Organized 100s of hours of trail cleanup, weed control and maintenance
• Worked extensively with MT Conservation Corps on many trail projects
• Organized and staffed a successful 2005 Blues & Brews fundraiser
• Planted, staked, mulched and watered 50 new trailside trees
• Assisted with consultant selection and Whitmore Ravine Feasibility Study
• Assisted completion of roadway signage to all north shore trailheads
• Raised and matched donations with state, federal grants, special projects
• Worked with partners to stake, permit new trail loop at Ryan Reservoir
• Worked with partners to develop new trailside interpretive panels
• Worked with Helena group, local groups and agencies to explore and generate
  public support for a new trail between Great Falls and Helena

River’s Edge Trail – 2006 Goals

• Complete construction of Phase 1 of the Bay Drive Trail
• Work with partners to complete loop trail from Ryan TH to Dry Waterfall
• Secure grant funds for construction of Phase 2 of the Bay Drive Trail
• Continue to work to acquire 95-mile long Great Falls to Helena corridor
• Assist completion of new trail from Odd Fellows Park to Upper River Rd.
• Continue to work with partners on next phases of Whitmore Ravine
• Work 6 weeks with MCC crews on trail maintenance and repair projects
• Stabilize piers and re-deck the West Bank Park trail bridge
• Work with City, County, ARCO to explore public use of Smelter Hill site
• Work with PPL MT to continue public use of Cochrane Dam Trail Crossing
• Produce and distribute a high-quality fold-up River’s Edge Trail Map
• Organize and staff a successful 11th Annual Blues & Brews fundraiser
• Write and submit several state and federal grants for local trail projects
• Add new trailside interpretive panels and a new trailside sculpture
• Add new trees and vines, continue watering and care of trailside vegetation
• Complete exterior painting of boxcar and caboose at the 20th St. Trailhead
• Work with MDT to advance 3 proposed bikeway extensions and improvements
• Continue to work with partners on river corridor cleanup and weed control