The route of a popular river trail may be changing soon in Columbia Falls. The Columbia Falls City Council has directed city staff to look at lowering or rerouting a section of the Kreck River Trail that follows along the Flathead River.
The trail has been at the center of a dispute between the city and a nearby landowner who said people have abused his property. Earlier this year, the owner closed off access to the path running from the Cedar Pointe Subdivision to the Red Bridge. The trail was built in honor of Dr. Loren Kreck. City staff is currently looking at how much it would cost to move the trail to avoid the landowner’s property, possibly even moving it closer to the river.
“We want to do what’s best for all involved,” said Columbia Falls City Manager Susan Nicosia. “We want to maintain trail access for the public but we also want to discourage people from trespassing.”