The community has shown “tremendous support,” and thanks “to the leadership of Whitefish Legacy Partners, the Whitefish Trail has become a valuable community asset and the city is committed to ensure its permanent protection.”
That was Whitefish City Councilor John Anderson back in 2012, when the project to expand the Whitefish trail had just been approved and public interest was strong. Since then, both local companies and individuals have shown tremendous support, and today the initiative is only $750,000 shy of its goal. However, with the recent news about a project to permanently secure Haskill Basin from development and a December fundraising deadline, Whitefish Legacy Partners are stepping up efforts to raise the remaining $750,000 over this summer.
The plan to create more than 55 miles of trail and conserve 1,500 acres of land around Beaver Lakes has been hailed as a win-win by virtually everyone familiar with the project. With 26 miles of trail completed, the initiative already provides recreational and educational opportunities for locals and is expected to encourage more tourists to spend time in the area. Beyond the recreational and economic benefits, securing the 1,500 acres is also crucial to conserving clean water, wildlife, and the gorgeous scenery that make the Whitefish area distinctive.
As the Whitefish Legacy Partners’ original release noted, the initiative is the result of “countless hours of public meetings, fundraising events, work sessions, trail building, multi-agency support, public and private partnerships, hundreds of volunteers, a Montana State Parks Recreational Trails Program grant, and nine years of Land Board support.” Thus, it would be a tremendous shame to let the opportunity slip at the final stretch, especially since if every member of the Flathead Valley contributed $8.33, the fundraising could by done tomorrow, proponents said.
The summer provides a number of ways for people to get involved. The highlight of the fundraising events will be the annual Hootenanny on Aug. 22, and people can also contribute by becoming “Whitefish Trail Friends,” or by signing up to sponsor a section of the trail. The initiative is always looking for new corporate sponsors and is keen to stress what a positive effect it can have by increasing tourism.
Ultimately, though, the expansion of the Whitefish Trail will rely on local enthusiasm. For more information on getting involved, visit www.whitefishlegacy.org.