Page 126 - Flathead Living Fall 2014

48o north destinations XXXXXXXXXX
Whitefish becomes more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly each year with a growing net- work of trails throughout town. Commonly known as the Fish Trails, 12 miles of paved paths wind through several parks and across a pedestrian bridge over Whitefish River. A section along Wisconsin Avenue begins at Edgewood and the BN Loop and heads north over the overpass to Houston Point, providing a safer route along the busy road to reach Big Mountain Road and Whitefish Lake City Beach. A great starting point is off Baker Avenue near Riverside Park where it follows the scenic Whitefish River. The trail also connects to Monegan Road where it not only provides a great route for recre- ational purposes, but also establishes a safe pedestrian and bicycle commute to several Whitefish schools and to the Smith Fields soccer and baseball fields.
Just outside of Whitefish is the Whitefish Trail, another growing trail system led by the Whitefish Legacy Partners. Current trails access Lion and Spencer mountains, Beaver and Skyles lakes, and Swift Creek with more challenging grades and terrain on unpaved trails.
In the heart of Kalispell you will find a wonderful place to run (or walk) in Woodland Park where you might not escape the carousel of neighborhood activity, but are
still amidst trees, gardens, water features and wildlife. The 38-acre park was once a pri- vate game preserve for Charles Conrad, the founder of Kalispell, and is Kalispell’s old- est park with large trees towering over two miles of paths that wind around a fountain, a lagoon seasonally filled with ducks, geese, and a water and skate park, playgrounds and picnic grounds. If you get out early morning or late in the day, it is possible to capture a more serene time in the park along with the magical light of a sunrise or sunset.
Just a short distance from a bustling Highway 93 are Lawrence Park and the Buffalohead Pond. Lawrence Park lies along the Stillwater River and the Buffalo Hills Golf course and has a mile-long paved trail along with a place for Frisbee golf and pic- nicking. Lawrence Park is just a smidge short of 80 acres, with another 37 acres of natural open space. Stroll over the walking bridge and through a varied habitat that includes shade trees, wetlands, the Stillwater River and a variety of birds and wildlife.
If you find yourself waiting for someone at the Kalispell Medical Center you can take a short walk down Grandview Drive to the Buffalohead Pond just south of Flathead Community College. The two-acre pond area is set in almost six acres, like a secret garden tucked into a quiet neighborhood.
A couple enjoys the end of the day walking on a trail along the Whitefish River.
Access through a tall culvert sets the tone for entry into this magical and wild space where kingfisher, turtles, and fish find refuge in the middle of town. Glacier Church pro- vides park access and parking and the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department has installed a portable toilet near the culvert.
On the southern fringe of Kalispell are two other large parks with extensive trails. Trails at Lone Pine State Park offer 700 feet in elevation gain, which provides a great aer- obic workout as you wind through the for- ested slope. At the top you are rewarded with an outstanding view of the valley and sur- rounding mountains where you will also find a visitor center that is open year-round. Stop at the center for a tour of forest ecology and wildlife found in the park. Varied terrain can be found on the 7.5 miles of trails with both steep and moderate grade for hikers, moun- tain bikers and horsemen. The trail begins on Lone Pine Road.
A little further from Kalispell is the 380-acre Iven Herron Memorial Park with 14 miles of trails, which is also a gateway to the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails system and Blacktail Mountain forestlands. The park has been expanded in recent years through
124 FLATHEAD LIVING | FALL 2014