See a PFD of the full year-end letter here: 2021 RET Year-end Newsletter
Greetings River’s Edge Trail Supporters,
The River’s Edge Trail has enjoyed another year of record use by our community. What a beautiful refuge from the daily grind of uncertainty and public health concerns that have affected each of us over the last year! The healing and rejuvenating powers of outdoor experiences have never been more important to our health and wellbeing.
Thank you for being a part of this amazing endeavor to build the region’s best recreational trail system! For more than 25 years we have maintained a grassroots approach to funding the trail, and the model is tremendously successful. Partnering with community agencies and leveraging your donated dollars to secure grants have allowed us to build and maintain a world-class outdoor asset that is accessible to everyone.
2021 was another very successful year for trail projects. 2022 promises even more. Read on to learn more about what we’ve accomplished and plans in place for improvements in 2022.
We appreciate your support and hope we can count on you again this year to help us deliver on our promise to the community.
Without you, there would be no River’s Edge Trail.
Thank you!
River’s Edge Trail Foundation Board
Bruce Pollington – president, Anders Blewett – vice president, Debbie Corn – treasurer, Sheila Kelly – secretary, Ron Nelson, Chuck Jennings, Becky Nelson, Sarah Yoder, Alex Huffield, Steve Beaumont, Ben Graybill, Steffen Janikula – Trails Coordinator
Donate to the River’s Edge Trail HERE
A look back at what we accomplished with your support
Installation of the Circle of Giving. This seating plaza in West Bank Park was constructed as a gathering place and location to display donor recognition and memorial plaques. $18,000 of the total project cost was funded by the Foundation with the remaining $5,000 awarded by a Place Making Grant facilitated by the Great Falls Association of Realtors. Rocky Mountain hardscapes also donated materials and labor associated with their construction of the plaza.
River Drive North Trail Improvements. Major reconstruction of the trail from Central Ave. West to the crosswalk at the Skate Park saw the deteriorated asphalt surface replaced with low maintenance and long-lasting concrete. Safety issues, tree root protection, and crosswalk painting were also addressed. The total project cost $225,900. Our Foundation matched $29,000, leveraging a $183,900 grant and City of Great Falls Park District funds.
North Bank Stabilization Project– Phase 1 is underway with design and engineering. Construction slated for 2022 to mitigate riverbank instability issues along the trail and sewer main on the North Shore between the Water Treatment Plant and 9th St. No. Foundation matched $13,300 with grants and City Funds towards the $453,535 project cost.
Annual trail maintenance. The Foundation contributes over $20,000 in funds annually to the City Park and Recreation Trails Division for labor and materials utilized for trail maintenance. Trail crew recently conducted a mile of crack filling and sealing of asphalt trail segments in Warden Park, West Bank Park, and 38th St. No. trails as well as other maintenance tasks.
2022 Project Goals
Replace the original segment of trail on the railroad berm bordering Elks Riverside Park. This segment of trail, including the bridge, was celebrated at the official grand opening of the River’s Edge Trail on October 13, 1991. Removal of approximately 3,200 linear feet of aged asphalt and replacing it with a 10 ft. wide concrete trail are estimated to cost $325,000.
Complete the North Bank Stabilization Project – Phase 2. Grant applications are currently being submitted to finish the bank instability project on the North Shore. Total Project Cost – $474,944.
Construct a safe and permanent connection from the historic 10th St. bridge to the River’s Edge Trail.
Complete a new single-track trail on the South Shore near Cochrane Dam. Great Falls Bike Club volunteers are assisting with the ½ mile construction.
