The Foy’s to Blacktail Trails group has acquired and protected 60 acres of land near Herron Park, southwest of Kalispell.
In 2001, the group, then called Birch Creek Trail Project, was established to protect public access from Herron Park to Blacktail Mountain. According to board chair Cliff Kipp, its goal is to protect 320 acres by purchasing the land and then handing it over to the county. To do this, the group has solicited donations and looked for “bridge” buyers to purchase land when available. Kipp said last year the group protected 40 acres; in 2011 it protected 60 acres.
“Two years in a row show we are executing our plan and a precedent has been set,” Kipp said. “It shows the public supports us.”
Kipp said all donations received by the group goes toward land purchases. Trail building and maintenance is all funded through grants. He said the group hopes to achieve its goals of protecting trail access between the park and Blacktail Mountain within the next few years.
For more information, please visit foystoblacktailtrails.org