Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan...Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan 5 “What makes a trail is the journey,...

Lincoln In-TownTrails Plan

July 2018

2 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan

Blackfoot Challenge 405 Main St.

Ovando, MT 59854406-793-3900

blackfootchallenge.org

Students learn about Tree Circus at Sculpture in the Wild, photo by Caleb Fey Cover photo: The Blackfoot River, photo by Chris Gibisch

The Trust for Public Land 1007 East Main St., Suite 300

Bozeman, MT 59715406-522-7450

tpl.org

Lincoln In-TownTrails Plan

July 2018

Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan 3

Table of Contents

4 Preface

5 Introduction Lincoln, Montana Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Trail Benefits

8 Purpose Vision Statement

9 Public Input Envision Lincoln 2018 Survey 2018 Workshops

11 Proposed Trails Types of Trails Field Verification Trail Prioritization Highway 200 Pedestrian Crossings

15 Implementation Trail Development Constraints Education Funding

18 Action Plan

21 Conclusion

24 Appendix 1. Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Participants

26 Appendix 2. Summary of the 2018 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Community Survey

31 Appendix 3. Funding for Trails


ACknOWLEdGMEnTSThe LincoLn in-Town Trails Plan (Trails Plan) was made possible with generous support from the LOR Foundation, Blackfoot Challenge, and The Trust for Public Land. More than a hundred people participated in the Lincoln community trail survey. In addition, more than 25 people committed their valuable time to Trails Plan workshops, and 15 provided local knowledge and expertise to the trails plan steering commit-tee. Twelve people volunteered to participate in the trail verification process. The names of those who participated in the workshops and the steer-ing committee are shown in Appendix 1 (Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Participants). We appreciate the time, energy, resources, and passion that part-ners, community members, and the LOR Founda-tion contributed to make this in-town trails plan possible.

PROjECT TEAMThis Trails Plan was prepared by The Trust for Public Land in partnership with the Blackfoot Challenge.

1. Preface

PROjECT PARTnERSThe Trust for Public Land is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating parks and protecting land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.

Blackfoot Challenge coordinates efforts that conserve and enhance natural resources and the rural way of life in the Blackfoot watershed for present and future generations.

PROjECT STAFFAmy McNamara, The Trust for Public LandKaryn Good, Blackfoot ChallengeChrissy Pepino, The Trust for Public Land


“What makes a trail is the journey, whether it’s on dirt, through a railroad tunnel, over a boardwalk, or along a scenic waterway. Trails in all their variety connect us to our world, our history, and our heritage of wild places.” —Stuart MacDonald, American Trails Magazine (2008)

LInCOLn, MOnTAnALincoLn, MonTana is a Town of approxi-mately 900 people that is surrounded by incredi-ble scenic beauty and located within a 90-minute drive to three major Montana cities: Helena, Missoula, and Great Falls. Located just west of the Continental Divide and halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Lincoln is bordered by the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas to the north and the celebrated Blackfoot River to the south. Residents and visitors enjoy outdoor activities all year round in Lincoln. These include but are not limited to hiking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, fly fishing, hunting, and wildlife watch-ing. The Lincoln Ranger District of the Hele-na-Lewis and Clark National Forest “hugs” Lin-coln and offers many amenities, including trails. Trail opportunities within the town of Lincoln, however, have been limited. Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild provides trails within the park to walk between sculptures, and the new Blackfoot River Community Park has a short path from the parking lot to the river. Also, the com-munity has used the borrow pit along Highway 200 as a multiuse trail for decades.

2. Introduction

LInCOLn In-TOWn TRAILS PLAnBeTween ocToBer 2017 and 2018, Lincoln brought community leaders and residents togeth-er to set a solid foundation for collaboration. Lin-coln’s community leaders guided a process called Envision Lincoln that was designed to build on Lincoln’s existing efforts and accomplishments and invite all residents to participate and share their perspectives. Envision Lincoln developed an overarching vision to guide a collaborative effort that would help attract families to Lincoln and re-tain them, spur economic opportunities, and keep what makes Lincoln a special place to live. Together, Lincoln residents worked to devel-op the following vision for this effort and their community:

Lincoln is a community with a small-town atmosphere and unique natural environment that is working together to be a place that thrives economically and culturally and supports the well-being of its residents.

Moving forward, Envision Lincoln will be implemented by the Envision Lincoln Core Team as well as the Economy, Natural Environment, and Health and Well-Being action teams. All three action teams recognized that trails can contribute toward a prosperous future for Lincoln and its residents. As such, the community identified de-veloping an in-town trails plan as an implementa-tion priority. In April 2018 the Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Steering Committee (steering committee) was created. The steering committee is made up of Envision Lincoln participants, residents, Lincoln stakeholders, and state and federal agencies. Blackfoot Challenge and The Trust for Public Land worked with the steering committee to solicit community input and convene workshops


to develop this Trails Plan. Using grant funding (from the LOR Foundation) and financial support from local groups, the project partners complet-ed the Trails Plan, which prioritizes potential new trails based on community input. While this final report lays out a set of Priority I trails for development, this plan should be considered a living document. Envision Lincoln and other local groups should revisit priority-setting and implementation goals frequently as development patterns, community priorities, and funding op-portunities change over time. Based on input from the community survey and from the steering committee, the Trails Plan focuses primarily on nonmotorized trails and on-road bike and walk lanes. Lincoln has more than 250 miles of snowmobile trails on adjacent Nation-al Forest lands that are groomed by the Ponderosa Snow Warriors. Also, the U.S. Forest Service’s Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest completed a summer travel plan in 2017 to address motorized and nonmotor-ized use of the Lincoln Ranger District.

TRAIL BEnEFITSMany facTors MoTivaTe communities to plan and develop trails. Trails can make a com-munity more attractive to tourists, prospective employers, and potential future residents. A well-planned trail system creates a safer and more livable community and can be a tool to preserve green space and provide access to public places and waterways. Trails can also encourage resi-dents to be healthier and more active. Trails can provide the following benefits:

1. Trails support the local economy through tour-ism and civic improvement.

2. Trails strengthen the historic and cultural fab-ric of local communities.

3. Trails increase property values.

4. Trails can provide opportunities for physical activity for a wide range of people, including those with disabilities, children, youth, and seniors.

5. Trails support active lifestyles to improve health and reduce stress.

6. Trails help people access open space, and help showcase culturally and ecologically signifi-cant areas.

7. Trails can be designed to make it safer to walk and bike between community assets such as schools, libraries, parks, and downtown businesses.

8. Trails help build a strong sense of community.

9. Trails increase the opportunities for walking, bicycling, and active transportation and com-muting.

10. Trails provide meaningful opportunities to connect to the outdoors.

Economic BenefitsBy attracting tourists and providing recreational opportunities for residents, trails can create jobs and spawn new businesses. Trail-seeking tourists buy supplies, rent equipment, dine, and stay over in trailhead communities. Property values can be enhanced with new, accessible trail amenities. Destination trails attract visitors whose spend-ing has ripple effects throughout the local areas surrounding the trails. Trails that attract visitors for overnight stays are particularly beneficial, as are trails that are directly linked to towns by spur trails or shuttles. For example, in Wyoming, Teton County’s trail system attracts tens of thousands annually. Significant tourism dollars are generated by the trails’ attractions. An investment of $1.7 million has been made in the county’s trail system in the past decade. Nearly $18 million flowed into the community in 2010 alone as a direct result of the Teton County trail system—an enormous eco-nomic return on the initial investment. Similarly, in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the cost of pub-lic investments in trails has been far outstripped by the economic contributions of visitors to the local economy. Recreation-focused visitors who later become residents and business owners can also play a big role in growing local economies.


Well-designed trail systems can also increase property values. Studies in San Antonio and Austin, Texas; southwestern Ohio; New Castle County, Delaware; Methow Valley, Washington; and Indianapolis, Indiana, have found increases in property values of 6 percent to 20 percent as a result of nearby trails.

Health BenefitsTrails can play a big role in improving communi-ty health by providing attractive and convenient opportunities for physical fitness—including safer recreational and commuting routes for pedestrians and cyclists. Studies have shown that increases in physical activity related to trails are most significant in rural places with narrow road shoulders and limited park resources—and among people at the greatest risk of low physical fitness, including low-income families and senior citizens. A study in West Virginia showed 60 per-cent of trail users reporting more regular exercise since beginning to use trails. In the United King-dom, numerous studies have shown significant

increases in self-esteem and mental well-being after participants exercised outdoors. Increasing fitness from trail use can lead to savings in health care costs. Although the exact trail-related savings can be difficult to calculate, researchers have found that health care savings far outweigh the costs of developing trails. Using data from the National Medical Expenditure Survey, one Nebraska study determined that for every $1 spent on trails, there was almost $3 in savings in direct medical costs. Once people began using local trails, they found their over-all physical activity increased. Easy access and connectivity to neighborhoods, parks, or commer-cial areas play an important part in encouraging people to use trails. A Massachusetts study found that among 363 adults studied, the likelihood of using a suburban rail-trail decreased by 42 per-cent for every 0.25-mile increase in distance from home to the trail. A similar Minneapolis study also found sharp declines in trail use among bicyclists who had to travel 1.5 miles or farther to access the trail.


The purpose of the Trails Plan is to (1) cre-ate a vision; (2) determine community priorities for new trails; (3) identify general locations and desired routes for trails; (4) serve as a guide to help evaluate and develop trails; and (5) develop strategies for implementing the plan. The plan is not a means to acquire land through eminent domain. However, the plan can help identify priorities and suggest trail routes and extensions as developers or planners lay out new roads and neighborhoods. It is also not meant to be set in stone. The plan should be considered always “under construction” as new funding sources and trail priorities arise. Finally, trail locations and desired routes are general. The document will be used as a guide to help evalu-ate and develop trails and serve as a jumping-off point for more in-depth studies or plans. The following vision was finalized by the steering committee using input from a communi-ty workshop and the trails survey.

3. Purpose

VISIOn STATEMEnTLincoLn envisions pLeasant walking and biking trails that are well designed and educational for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. The system’s goals include safely connecting community assets while respecting private landowners and main-taining natural values of the land.


More Than a hundred peopLe participated in the Lincoln community trail survey. In addition, more than 25 individuals committed their time to community workshops, and 15 provided local knowledge and expertise to the trails plan steering committee. Twelve of those participants volun-teered to partake in the trail verification process.

EnVISIOn LInCOLnThe envision LincoLn process prioritized community trails as a leading strategy to bene-fit the economy; support individual health and well-being; and promote the community’s natural environment, arts, and culture. Both the Economy and Natural Environment action teams included strategies that pertained to creating and enhancing in-town trails. The following strategies from En-vision Lincoln pertain to this plan: (1) develop an in-town trails plan that focuses on connecting com-munity assets, and (2) develop a natural history educational trail as part of the in-town trails plan. The Natural Environment team also commit-ted to furthering the goals of nonmotorized and motorized trail outcomes on the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. While not a part of this plan, community leaders and residents have expressed a desire to connect in-town trails with trails on the Hele-na-Lewis and Clark National Forest. This could include connections to nearby hiking, moun-tain-biking, or ATV trailheads in the summer. Also, the Continental Divide Trail passes within miles of Lincoln’s downtown. In the winter, Lincoln enjoys the benefits of more than 250 miles of snowmobile trails on the national forest as well as cross-country skiing opportunities in and outside of town.

4. Public Input

2018 SuRVEyin May 2018 the steering committee with the support of The Trust for Public Land developed an online survey to assess community perspec-tives on trails. Approximately 100 people re-sponded to the survey. All questions and re-sponses to the survey are available in Appendix 2 (Summary of the 2018 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Community Survey).

Key Findings

• Ninety-eight percent of survey participants supported expanding the trail/pathway system.

• Survey participants are most likely to use in-town trails for exercising, followed by recreation and alternative transportation.

• Participants identified (1) Sculpture in the Wild, (2) downtown businesses, (3) Lincoln School, (4) Lincoln Community River Park, and (5) Hooper Park as community assets that should be prioritized to connect via trails.

• Survey participants prioritized (1) creating new pathways within town to ensure safe places to walk and cycle (marked bike lanes and/or separated multiuse paths); (2) creating new trails that are accessible to users of all abilities, including users with mobility restrictions and baby strollers; and (3) creating new dirt trails for walking.

• While not part of this trails plan, 93 percent of people were in support of creating trail connections between the town of Lincoln and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in the future.


2018 WORkShOPSThree TraiL workshops were hosted over the course of the spring and summer of 2018. These workshops invited community members to create a trails vision, identify new trails, identify solutions to perceived constraints, develop edu-cation priorities for the trail system, and prioritize trails.


The LincoLn in-Town TraiLs Plan Steering Steering Committee and community workshop participants emphasize the need to respect the rights of private property owners as central to any trail-planning effort. The trails proposed in this plan represent general trail corridors and not specific trail alignments. Specific alignments will always be negotiated with the appropriate land-owners—including public agencies. As noted previously, Lincoln’s existing in-town trails infrastructure is limited. Within this plan’s study area boundaries, Lincoln has 3.7 miles of existing trails. The existing trails are shown on Figure 1 in solid lines. This Trails Plan proposes to increase this number by almost 250 percent by adding approximately 9.4 miles of trails (11 trails or trail segments). This is an ambi-tious long-term vision for a small community that is starting with such limited trail infrastructure. All of the proposed trails are shown on Figure 1 in dashed lines. Approximately 50 percent of these proposed trails, representing 4.7 miles, are being highlighted as Priority I trails.

TyPES OF TRAILSThe TraiLs pLan includes four types of pro-posed trails. While each trail segment has been proposed as a certain type of trail, with further planning, land managers, partners, and land-owners may conclude that a different type of trail treatment is more appropriate. The following types of trails are proposed in this plan:

5. Proposed Trails

• Natural surface trails: Natural surface trails can be as simple as a mineral soil, mulched, or graveled pathway, or as developed as elevated or raised boardwalks and bridges.

Note: The descriptions for the following three types of trails come from the Small Town and Rural Multi-modal Networks report by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.1

• Physically separated paved pathsThe following are two types of paved paths that provide physical separation from motorized traffic:

º Shared-use path: A shared-use path provides a travel area separate from motorized traffic for bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users. These facilities are often located in parks, along rivers, and in greenbelts or utility corridors where there are few conflicts with motorized vehicles. Shared-use paths can provide a low-stress experience for a variety of users using the trail network for transportation or recreation. They are generally appropriate outside built-up areas and as a corridor connection within built-up areas. Providing a dedicated facility for users of all ages and abilities, shared-use paths support tourism through convenient access to natural areas or as an enjoyable recreational opportunity itself.

º Sidepath: A sidepath is a shared-use path located immediately adjacent and parallel to a roadway. Unlike on-roadway facilities in heavy traffic environments, sidepaths can offer a high-quality experience for users of all ages and abilities, allow for reduced roadway crossing distances, and maintain rural and small-town community character.

1 u.S. department of Transportation Federal highway Administration, Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/publications/small_towns/fhwahep17024_lg.pdf. The Small Town and Rural Multimodal networks report is a resource and idea book intended to help small towns and rural communities sup-port safe, accessible, comfortable, and active travel for people of all ages and abilities. It provides a bridge between existing guidance on bicycle and pedestrian design and rural practice, encourages innovation in the development of safe and appealing networks for bicycling and walking in small towns and rural areas, and shows examples of peer communities and project implementation that is appropriate for rural communities.


• Visually separated facilities The following are two types of visually separated facilities that Lincoln can consider as it implements its trails plan:

º Paved shoulders: Paved shoulders on the edge of roadways can be enhanced to serve as a functional space for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel in the absence of other facilities with more separation. They are appropriate on roads with moderate to high volumes and speeds and on roadways with a large amount of truck traffic. Paved shoulders are appropriate outside and within built-up areas, near school zones and transit locations, and where there is expected pedestrian and bicycle activity. Walkable shoulders should be provided along both sides of county roads and highways routinely used by pedestrians. Wide solid white lines or buffer areas enhance the visual separation; colored or contrasting pavement can also be used to increase contrast between the shoulder and the roadway. Recommended minimum-paved shoulder widths vary from five to eight feet depending on traffic and speed conditions.

º Bike lane: Bike lanes designate an exclusive space for bicyclists through the use of pavement markings and optional signs. A bike lane is located directly adjacent to motor vehicle travel lanes and follows the same direction as motor vehicle traffic. A designated bike lane can provide a consistent area for bicyclists to travel outside the path of motor vehicles. Bike lanes are used in or between built-up areas where increased bicycle activity is present or expected. Bike lanes can support school access by bicycle when configured as a wide bike lane on lower-speed, lower-volume streets. They can serve as additional visual cues to drivers that they should expect bicyclists on the roadway. This can be particularly useful

when transitioning to a built-up area from a highway context. A wide solid line or buffer area separates the bike lane from the roadway. Dotted lines at crossings maintain a clear path for bicyclists.

• Mixed-traffic facilities or yield roads: A yield roadway is designed to serve pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicle traffic in the same slow-speed travel area. Yield roadways serve bidirectional motor vehicle traffic without lane markings in the roadway travel area. Yield roadways can effectively serve local travel needs, maintain aesthetic preferences, and are a common approach for low-volume, local rural roads. When operating at very low volumes and at low speeds, pedestrians and bicyclists are comfortable walking and biking within the travel area of the roadway. No markings are necessary to implement a yield roadway, although signs are encouraged to warn road users of the special characteristics of the street. Appropriate signage could include (1) a pedestrian warning sign with an on-roadway legend plaque and (2) a two-way traffic warning sign to clarify two-way operation of the road if any confusion exists.

FIELd VERIFICATIOnfroM May Through June 2018, volun-teers helped field-verify, or “groundtruth,” 12 proposed trails segments. Trails were evaluated in segments designated by The Trust for Public Land’s planning team. The purpose of groundtruthing was to iden-tify “hot spots” (either positive or negative) along each proposed trail segment corridor. Field verification volunteers filled out forms on which they were asked to describe their segment; note their groundtruthing approach (by foot, bicycle, car, or desktop analysis); check potential trail uses (pedestrian, trail bike, road bike, all-ability access, cross-county skiing); note whether the segment would share a road with cars and trucks; describe any special opportunities or notable impedi-


ments; and determine (on a scale of 1 to 5) an overall score and scores for equity, viability, trail condition, and user experience. Because the trails plan is conceptual and not an alignment study, field verification was intended to provide a broad overview of each trail segment. These data were then reviewed at the July 11, 2018 trails workshop and by the steering committee to adjust the trails map and prioritize trails. One of the 12 field ver-ified segments was deemed unviable and there-fore not included in the final trails plan.

TRAIL PRIORITIzATIOnprioriTy i TraiLs were identified based on the expertise of the steering committee and work-shop participants and proximity to parks and schools, accessibility, feasibility, and user expe-rience. The list below includes some additional detail on the factors used in prioritizing trails:

• Community preference: priority connections identified by survey and workshop feedback

• Health/equity: trails near important public amenities or community assets; accessible by many, including people who don’t have a car; shade for people to rest

• Viability: existing trail infrastructure to connect with or build from, appropriate for proposed uses

• User experience: pleasant views and other outdoor experiential considerations; traffic, noise, and safety considerations

• Trail condition: cost required to create the envisioned trail, private land concerns, time frame required to achieve desired outcomes

The following tables list the trail prioritization for the Trails Plan. Please refer to Figure 1 to locate these trails on the map.

Table 1. priority i proposed trails2

segment number

Trail segment potential Trail uses potential partners Trail Miles3

3 Lambkin Park Path pedestrians, trail and road bikes, all ability access

Ponderosa Snow Warriors, 4th Street homeowners, Lewis and Clark County, Sculpture in the Wild Board

0.8

7 Blackfoot River Path

pedestrians, skis private landowners, Five Valleys Land Trust, U.S. Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana Department of Transportation

1.8

8 Downtown to the Lincoln Community River Park

pedestrian, trail and road bikes

Lewis and Clark County, Five Valleys Land Trust, NorthWestern Energy and/or Lincoln Telephone Company, property owners along Stemple Pass Road

0.6

9 South of Town Safe Route to School

pedestrian, trail and road bike

landowners along the route, Lincoln School, Lincoln Library, Lincoln Senior Center, Lincoln Parks Board

1.5

2 Proposed trail locations are approximations based on community suggestions. Trail viability will depend on many factors, including willing landowners.3 Trail lengths in this and Table 2 are approximate.


Table 2. additional proposed trails

segment number

Trail segment potential Trail uses potential partners Trail Miles

1 Parker Medical Trail pedestrian, trail and road bike, all ability access

Parker Medical Center, Lincoln Senior Center, Montana Department of Transportation

0.3

2 Main Street Bike/Walk Lanes

pedestrian, trail and road bike, all ability access

Montana Department of Transportation, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street businesses, Lewis and Clark County Commission

1.0

4 Lambkin Park to Lincoln School and Hooper Park


Lincoln School, Lincoln Parks Board, Ponderosa Snow Warriors, Lincoln Senior Center, Lincoln Library

0.2

5 Sucker Creek Road to North Airport Drive


private landowners, Sculpture in the Wild Board, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Five Valleys Land Trust

1.1

6 Forest Path pedestrians, skis U.S. Forest Service, Sculpture in the Wild Board, Lincoln School

1.0

10 Parks to the River Connector

pedestrian, trail bike private landowners, Northwestern Energy, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

0.5

11 Hooper Park to Forest Service Path

pedestrians, trail bike private landowners, U.S. Forest Service, Lincoln Parks Board

0.6

hIGhWAy 200 PEdESTRIAn CROSSInGSThe TraiLs pLan identifies four areas where the proposed trails cross Highway 200. These areas will lead to increased safety hazards as pedestrian and bike use increases in Lincoln. Crosswalks, traffic calming measures, and other actions should be explored with Montana De-partment of Transportation to insure the safety of individuals using Lincoln’s trail system, Lin-coln residents and visitors moving around Lin-coln’s downtown core for day-to-day activities, and those driving on Highway 200. The four locations are identified on Figure 1 as proposed crosswalks.


This secTion provides an overview of the challenges for implementing the Trails Plan, de-tails on potential funding sources for local trails, and an outline of the education opportunities for the trails system. As noted previously, this Trails Plan will always be “under construction.” Over time, more work with neighborhoods, landown-ers, land managers, and other partners will be needed. The current action plan developed by the steering committee is included in Section 7 (Ac-tion Plan).

TRAIL dEVELOPMEnT COnSTRAInTSaT The firsT workshop on May 9, 2018, participants focused on identifying the major constraints for developing the Trails Plan. These constraints are described below.

• Coordination: Strong coordination is needed to advance the Trails Plan. The Lincoln In-Town Trails Steering Committee was an ad hoc committee that came together to develop and steer this plan’s creation. This committee was dissolved on July 23, 2018 and a new committee, The Lincoln Valley Trails Committee was formed. This group will have to coordinate and communicate with the community as well as with partners, agencies, and landowners as it moves into implementation. As the names suggests, this committee will implement the Trails Plan and work to coordinate trail efforts in other parts of the valley to ensure long-term connectivity of trails in the town of Lincoln and the Lincoln Valley.

• Physical Constraints: There are many narrow roads in the community, which can make it difficult to add bike lanes and trail

6. Implementation

connections. Coordination with Montana Department of Transportation and Lewis and Clark County Road and Bridge Department is necessary to discuss coordinating the community’s priorities as expressed in the Trails Plan. State and county road schedules are set years in advance.

• Landownership—Private Land: One of the major hurdles in developing trails is securing ownership or access rights for trail rights-of-way. Private landowners may have concerns about trespass, trash and vandalism, and potential legal liability for injuries to trail users. As a result, it can be complicated and expensive to secure access rights or acquire trail easements. Communication upfront about these concerns, clear signage, and building initial trails in public areas can develop models for private landowners to see in use.

• Landownership—Public Land: On public lands, it can be difficult to coordinate with agencies to get approval for trails. Both state and federal agencies often have limited staff capacity to dedicate to planning for new trails and limited budgets for trail maintenance. The federal planning process can be slow; formally designated trails must go through the public review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

• Wayfinding: Signage and maps will be helpful assets as Lincoln moves forward. Investing in both can help community members and visitors take advantage of existing trail infrastructure and increase support for future investments. Branding a trail system with a name and a logo using a creative placemaking approach can engage more community members, build community pride, and increase participation from the arts community in the trail program.


• Cost: The costs involved in trail development include access rights/trail easement acquisition; building costs (design/engineering, grading/contouring, surfacing [dirt, gravel, asphalt, concrete], bridges, amenities [benches, bathrooms, trailheads, parking lots, drinking fountains], and signage); and maintenance costs (repairs, trash removal). A review of recent trail studies indicates a very wide range of costs for trails—from $1,000 to $1.2 million per mile—depending on location, trail type, and labor used. Dirt trails typically cost $1,000 to $50,000 per mile; gravel from $80,000 to $1 million per mile; and paved trails from $150,000 to $1.2 million per mile.

• Other Challenges: Other challenges to expanding trails may include political and community resistance, competing

priorities, limited capacity of trail advocates, environmental and permitting requirements, geophysical constraints (terrain, steepness, waterways), sensitive habitat, and cultural resource considerations.

EduCATIOnThe TraiLs pLan vision prioritizes education as a component of the Lincoln trails. Education on the trails can serve several goals. Education can (1) help trail users learn about the Lincoln area, history, and its natural environment, (2) increase stewardship of the trails, and (3) increase interest in the trails from area visitors. At the June 4, 2018 workshop, participants identified the education opportunities outlined in Table 3.

Table 3. potential education opportunities on trail segments

segment number segment name education opportunities1 Parker Medical Trail Biography of Dr. Smith

3 Lambkin Park Path snowmobiling and snow sports information and education


trail map and kiosk in Hooper Park


wildlife and birds, history of ranching in the Upper Blackfoot

6 Forest Path fire-adapted ecosystems information, cavity dwellers in ponderosa pines

7 Blackfoot River Path animals, plants, and flora; Native American history; Road to the Buffalo; history of Meriwether Lewis and the Blackfoot River; history of backcountry airstrips, aquifer along the river


river and willow bottoms, leave no trace, Native American history

N/A not-tied to a specific trail trumpeter swan reintroduction program, Lincoln history of mining, Continental Divide Trail, history of Mixer Mill


Photo by Chris Gibisch

FundInGfunding TraiLs TypicaLLy takes the sup-port of the business community, elected officials, government agencies, and community leaders. It is crucial to educate trail users and the communi-ty about the benefits of an improved trails system (outlined in Section 2 [Introduction]). There are a wide variety of potential fund-ing sources for Lincoln trails, including state and federal funding, local and regional fund-ing, and funding from nongovernmental orga-nizations. Federal, state, and private grants can help communities with trails planning, devel-

opment, and land acquisition. These grants can also help to encourage local investments. Having an adopted comprehensive trails plan is important for communities seeking grant funds. An adopted plan demonstrates that the community is sufficiently organized and capable of administering grant funds and has a vision of its future trails system. Successful grant applications also need to show inter-juris-dictional cooperation between organizations at all levels of government and the private sector. More detailed discussion of funding options is included in Appendix 3 (Funding for Trails).


The Action Plan for the Trails Plan was finalized by the steering committee on July 23, 2018 (Table 4).

7. Action Plan

action plan component implementing entities Time frame

A.1 Prioritize Priority I trail segments based on public feedback and trail verification data

• Choose some “low-hanging fruit” to ensure early successes

Note: This step is complete. Priority I trail segments were confirmed at the July 23, 2018 Trails Plan Steering Committee Meeting.

Trails Plan Steering Committee July 2018

B.1 Determine best long-term structure to support plan implementation

Note: This step is complete. The Trails Plan Steering Committee’s work is done with the completion of this Trails Plan. A new committee, the Lincoln Valley Trails Committee, was established to implement this plan and connect these trails to other trail efforts in Lincoln Valley. Details about who will serve on this committee have yet to be determined.

Trails Plan Steering Committee July 2018

B.2 Evaluate Trails Plan implementation annually. Lincoln Valley Trails Committee

October 2019, ongoing annually

C.1 Create a sub-committee that focuses on outreach and communication so that messaging is consistent and will encourage support for a trail system in Lincoln

Lincoln Valley Trails Committee

Fall 2018 and ongoing

C.2 Build a strong communications and outreach action plan to build public support. Outline specific steps to take: who, what, when, where, how

For example, plan should include:

• Key partners (Chamber of Commerce, business community, landowners)

• Types of outreach (web-based marketing, trail signage, branding for Trails Plan, Facebook page)

• Outreach to state and county representatives

• Contributions from local businesses, partners, or other civic groups; crowd funding

Trails Communications Sub-Committee

Winter 2018

Table 4. Lincoln in-Town Trails plan—action steps

a. idenTify highesT-prioriTy TraiLs

B. creaTe a governing sTrucTure To iMpLeMenT The TraiLs pLan

c. deveLop a sTrong coMMunicaTions and ouTreach sTraTegy


action plan component implementing entities Time frameC.3 Create maps and charts for tracking progress, and make that data easily accessible to the public

• Focus on creating more general information about trails easily available, including existing trails


Ongoing

C.4 Host events and fundraisers to increase public awareness of the Trails Plan and to raise funds for specific trails

• Host annual fall party after trail-building season to celebrate accomplishments


First events in 2018, ongoing

D.1 Create a subgroup within the Lincoln Valley Trails Committee to coordinate plan adoption by the county and coordination with Montana Department of Transportation


August 2018

D.2 Facilitate adoption of the Trails Plan by the Lewis and County Parks Department

Trails Plan Adoption Committee, Lewis and Clark County

Fall 2018

D.3 Develop and implement regional best-practice standards for trail and pathway development to ensure proper design of new trails and pathways and reduce future maintenance needs and costs; work to ensure easy and safe access to trails


ongoing

D.4 Work to ensure that all jurisdictions are coordinating their trail and pathway plans, and that future highway and road projects in the region are consistent with this Trails Plan

Lincoln Valley Trails Committee, Montana Department of Transportation, Lewis and Clark County Department of Roads and Bridges

initial meetings Fall 2018, ongoing coordination

D.5 Engage federal and state land management partners in ongoing implementation of Trails Plan

Lincoln Valley Trails Committee, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, U.S. Forest Service

ongoing

E.1 Identify individuals or groups (trail champions) who will take the lead on implementing each Priority I trail


Fall 2018, ongoing

E.2 Create a checklist/basic framework for the elements that trail champions need to address in developing implementation plans


Fall 2018

E.3 Champions should create a clear plan for implementation that includes:

• Funding sources, tools and equipment needed, workers, agency personnel who are involved

• Strategy for getting landowner permission early

• Budgets and timelines for each specific trail segment

trail champions ongoing

d. incorporaTe TraiLs pLan inTo counTy pLanning docuMenTs and fuTure sTaTe highway proJecTs

e. idenTify chaMpions for each prioriTy TraiL To faciLiTaTe iMpLeMenTaTion


action plan component implementing entities Time frame

F.1 Establish a finance committee to oversee research on funding options

• Need to be ready to take advantage of funding when it is available


Fall 2018

F.2 Identify funding sources and create clearinghouse for funding options

Trail Finance Committee Winter 2019, ongoing

F.3 Work with county and partners on grant applications and raising funds

• Coordinate on Montana Recreational Trails Program funding applications

Trail Finance Committee, trail champions

ongoing

F.4 Work on developing a Lincoln strategy to fund ongoing trail maintenance


f. idenTify and pursue TradiTionaL and nonTradiTionaL funding sources To iMpLeMenT The TraiLs pLan


LincoLn’s specTacuLar BeauTy and unique recreational resources provide tremen-dous quality of life for residents and visitors. The Trails Plan is intended to help guide coordinated development of priority trails in the community. The Trails Plan will serve as an organizing document for Lincoln and the Lincoln Valley Trails Committee and the other groups working on trail development. The Trails Plan should be factored in when road projects and development projects are being considered; this could mean setting aside adequate rights-of-way to accom-modate trails when roads are being constructed

or including pathways as part of a subdivision design. In the eyes of potential funders, the Trails Plan should also serve as substantial evi-dence of the community’s interest in and capaci-ty for trail development. With continued help from the community’s energetic outdoor enthusiasts, the Trails Plan will help maintain and enhance exceptional local quality of life by increasing opportunities to use trails for recreation, health and fitness, commut-ing safely, and connecting to the outdoors for many years to come.

8. Conclusion

Enjoying the Lincoln Community River Park, photo by Five Valleys Land Trust staff


!9

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p r o p o s e d r o u t e

LINCOLNParkerMedicalCenter

LincolnCommunityRiver Park

Forest ServiceDistrict Office

LincolnAirport

Lambkins Park

Hooper Park

LincolnK-12School

Blackfoot Pathways:Sculpture

in the Wild

DowntownLincoln

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Proposed trailsL I N C O L N T R A I L P L A N , M O N TA N A

0 0.25 0.5Miles ±

Proposed trail locations are approximationsbased on community suggestions. Trailviability will depend on many factors,including willing landowners.

July 30, 2018. Copyright © The Trust for Public Land. The Trust for Public Land and The Trust for Public Land logo are federally registered marksof The Trust for Public Land. Information on this map is provided for purposes of discussion and visualization only. www.tpl.org

k Identified assetStudy area

!9 Campground

Swamp or marsh

Waterbody

Existing trailsMulti-use

Snowmobile

Natural surface

Proposed trailsYield road

Visually separated bike/walk

Physically separated paved

Natural surface

CrosswalkExisting

Proposed

Freeway or highway

Local road

Service or other minor road

USFS administrative boundary

US Forest Service land

Montana State Trust land

County park

Other County land

Other protected or public land*

Private land

*Does not include conservation easementsor other private conservation lands.

figure 1. proposed trails and trail segments

segment number

Trail segment Trail Miles*

1 Parker Medical Trail 0.3

2 Main Street Bike/Walk Lanes

1.0

3 Lambkin Park Path 0.8


0.2


1.1

6 Forest Path 1.0

7 Blackfoot River Path 1.8


0.6

9 South of Town Safe Route to School

1.5

10 Parks to the River Connector

0.5

11 Hooper Park to Forest Service Path

0.6

*Trail lengths are approximate


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LINCOLNParkerMedicalCenter

LincolnCommunityRiver Park

Forest ServiceDistrict Office

LincolnAirport

Lambkins Park

Hooper Park

LincolnK-12School

Blackfoot Pathways:Sculpture

in the Wild

DowntownLincoln

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Proposed trailsL I N C O L N T R A I L P L A N , M O N TA N A

0 0.25 0.5Miles ±

Proposed trail locations are approximationsbased on community suggestions. Trailviability will depend on many factors,including willing landowners.

July 30, 2018. Copyright © The Trust for Public Land. The Trust for Public Land and The Trust for Public Land logo are federally registered marksof The Trust for Public Land. Information on this map is provided for purposes of discussion and visualization only. www.tpl.org

k Identified assetStudy area

!9 Campground

Swamp or marsh

Waterbody

Existing trailsMulti-use

Snowmobile

Natural surface

Proposed trailsYield road

Visually separated bike/walk

Physically separated paved

Natural surface

CrosswalkExisting

Proposed

Freeway or highway

Local road

Service or other minor road

USFS administrative boundary

US Forest Service land

Montana State Trust land

County park

Other County land

Other protected or public land*

Private land

*Does not include conservation easementsor other private conservation lands.


Table 5. Lincoln Trails plan steering committee

Appendix 1. Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Participants

Becky Garland, business owner Josh Lattin, U.S. Forest Service Lincoln Ranger District

Bill Cyr, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Joyce Ferguson, resident

Bob Frank-Plumlee, resident Karyn Good, Blackfoot Challenge

Connie McCafferty, Lincoln Bible Church Michael Stansberry, U.S. Forest Service Lincoln Ranger District

Erin Dey, Blackfoot Valley Dispatch and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

Paul Roos, Sculpture in the Wild

Ernie Lundberg, resident and Lincoln Parks Board Ron Zarr, Community Council and Ponderosa Snow Warriors

Gary Moseman, resident (committee chair) Ryan Chapin, Five Valleys Land Trust

Jordan Reeves, The Wilderness Society


Table 6. Trails plan workshop attendees

Amy McNamara, The Trust for Public Land Josh Lattin, U.S. Forest Service Lincoln Ranger District

Becky Garland, business owner Joyce Ferguson, resident

Bill Cyr, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Karen Frank-Plumlee, resident

Billy Saylor, resident Karyn Good, Blackfoot Challenge

Bob Frank-Plumlee, resident Laurie Richards, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and business owner

Chris Owen, resident Michael Stansberry, U.S. Forest Service Lincoln Ranger District

Chrissy Pepino, The Trust for Public Land Pat McElgunn, resident

Debbie Sayler, resident Paul Roos, Sculpture in the Wild

Dick Birkholz, Sportsman Hotel Renee Lundberg, resident

Erin Dey, Blackfoot Valley Dispatch and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

Roger Dey, Blackfoot Valley Dispatch and Upper Blackfoot Valley Historical Society

Ernie Lundberg, resident and Lincoln Parks Board Ryan Chapin, Five Valleys Land Trust

Frank Malek, resident with ATV trails interest Sharon McElgunn, resident

Gary Moseman, resident Terry Spath, resident

Jerry Cain, Smiling Gulch Ranch, Lincoln Airport, and Lincoln Hospital District

Wanda Owen, resident


Appendix 2. Summary of the 2018 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Community Survey

1. Summary of Respondents

• In total, 104 people participated in the com-munity survey. Survey participants were not required to complete all survey questions. The number of respondents is listed by question.

• Of the 84 responses, nearly 60 percent of par-ticipants were female.

• Of the 84 responses, nearly 40 percent of participants had one or more children in their household.

• Of the 83 responses, 15.6 percent of partici-pants have a member of their household who has a need for ADA accessible trails.

• Of the 84 responses, one-fifth of participants were under the age of 18. There was minimal representation from ages 18–34. One quarter of survey participants were 65 and over.

• Of the 84 responses, 75 percent of participants lived in zip code 59639.

2. Methods

The survey was available online from April 24 until May 29, 2018. The survey was announced on the Envision Lincoln Facebook page on April 29. It was shared with Lincoln residents through an advertisement in the Blackfoot Daily Dispatch the week of May 2 and also referenced in an article about the Lincoln Trails Plan the week of May 16. Information kiosks about the Trails Plan with maps and details about upcoming meetings and the online survey were placed in three locations around town: the post office, the bank, and the Lincoln School. Finally, information about the survey was emailed to all parents and teachers in the Lincoln School District and to people on the Envision Lincoln list, which has more than 125 names on it.

3. Detailed Survey ResultsQ. 1. What forms of transportation do you currently use to get around town? Check all that apply. Of the 103 responses, the primary mode of trans-portation is driving, followed by walking, biking, ATV, and other. Other includes horseback riding, skateboarding, and golf cart.

Table 7. Transportation Modes

response number percentDrive 94 91%

Walk 66 64%

Bike 36 35%

ATV 28 27%

Other 6 6%

Q.2. Do you support expanding the trail/path-way system in the Lincoln Study Area? Of the 104 responses, 98 percent of survey partici-pants support expanding the trail/pathway system.

Table 8. Trail expansion in Lincoln

response number percentYes 102 98%

No 2 2%


Q. 3. What would you use in-town paths/trails for? Check all that apply. Of the 84 responses, survey participants are most likely to use in-town trails for exercising, followed by recreation and alternative transportation.

Table 9. Trail use

response number percentExercising 66 79%

Recreation 51 61%

Alternative transportation

51 61%

Socializing 40 48%

Walking my dog 29 35%

Commuting to school 8 10%

Commuting to work 6 7%

Q. 4. Please select five (5) community assets in the Lincoln Study Area that you would prioritize for connecting paths or trails. Of the 84 responses, participants identified (1) Sculpture in the Wild, (2) downtown businesses, (3) Lincoln School, (4) Lincoln Community River Park, and (5) Hooper Park as community assets that should be prioritized to connect via trails.

Table 10. community assets

response weighted TotalSculpture in the Wild 31.2

Downtown businesses 26.8

Lincoln School 26.4

Lincoln Community River Park 22.4

Hooper Park 22

Lincoln Airport 6

Lincoln Post Office 5.9

4x4 Road 4.7

Lincoln Library 4.6

Lincoln Community Hall 4.4

U.S. Forest Service District Office 4.4

Lincoln Senior Center 3.8

Parker Medical Center 3.6

Lambkin Park 2.8

Lincoln Springs Subdivision 2.6

Other 1.6

Places of worship 1


Q. 5 Please select up to three (3) priorities for trails and path-related investments in the Lin-coln Study Area. Of the 84 responses, survey participants priori-tized (1) creating new pathways within town to ensure safe places to walk and cycle (marked bike lanes and/or separated multiuse paths); (2) cre-ating new trails that are accessible to users of all abilities, including users with mobility restrictions and baby strollers; and (3) creating new dirt trails for walking.

Table 11. investments

response weighted Total

Create new pathways within town to ensure safe places to walk and cycle (marked bike lanes and/or separated multiuse paths).

57

Create new trails that are accessible to users of all abilities, including users with mobility restrictions and baby strollers.

33

Create new dirt trails for walking. 23.9

Create new access points for water activities.

19.3

Create new routes for ATVs. 16.6

Create new dirt trails for biking. 15.6

Create new routes for snowmobiles. 9.4

Create equestrian trails. 6.8

Other 1.8

Q. 6. Please prioritize three (3) amenities you would like to see along an in-town path or trail. Of the 82 responses, survey participants priori-tized (1) benches, (2) wayfinding signs, and (3) nature education.

Table 12. amenities

response weighted Total

Benches 48

Wayfinding signs 33.8

Nature education 28.4

Art 17.1

Mile-markers 16.5

Workout station 13.6

Bike repair station 7.7

Other 4.5

Q. 7. Within the Lincoln Study Area, please sug-gest up to two (2) corridors or neighborhoods where you would like to see trails or paths. Please include details such as starting and end-ing points, and what type(s) of activities could take place on the trail. Of the 48 responses, survey participants provided the following feedback on trail corridors. Not all participants provided two corridor suggestions. Eight responses were outside the study area, and an additional 5 responses were unrelated to trails (e.g., dog parks, splash parks) and thus outside the scope of work of this plan.


Table 13. Trail corridors

Trail corridor number of responses

sample description with activities

Main Street/Hwy 200 17 • Beaver Creek Road to town: nicer path for walking while pushing wheelchair or stroller

• Hooper Park to Parker Medical Center: walking safely and biking

• All of Main Street: safe walk path on both sides

• Main Street: needs a decent trail for safe walking, biking, snowmobiling in the winter, cross-country skiing

• Beaver Creek into town: ATV, bikes, hiking

River Trail 11 • Sculpture in the Wild to Lincoln Community River Park: biking and walking

• River trail from Lincoln Community River Park to Hooper Park, then to the airport: walking, biking

Trail North of the Highway 11 • Downtown to Sculpture in the Wild: walking, biking

• 1st Avenue North to Sleepy Hollow: walk, bike

• Sucker Creek Road to Beaver Creek Road (from about 5th Street to Lambkin Park and westward): exercise, walking, running, biking, wildlife education, history education

Hooper Park to Lincoln Community River Park

7 • A dirt trail for walking and biking to and from Hooper Park safely from the dead end on D Street

• Hooper Park to Lincoln Community River Park: walking, biking, skiing

Downtown to Lincoln Community River Park

6 • North–South route to connect the north edge of town with the river for walking and biking. Safe highway crossing would be nice.

• Trail or marked lane on road/bridge to safely get from downtown across the river to the Lincoln Community River Park: walking, bikes, all access for strollers, wheelchairs, etc.

Trails at Sculpture in the Wild 6 • Sculpture in the Wild loop: art, walking, music

• Wild and beautiful nature park: walking and looking at sculptures

Lambkin/Hooper Park/Downtown Walking areas

5 • Lambkin Park to Hooper Park: runs right through/along the school crosses over by Library/Sr. Center, then over to Hooper Park: walking, biking, strollers, joggers, rough distance loop indicators for tracking and maybe some educational information at each park area.

• Downtown/Hooper Park: safe walking areas

Other 4 • Forest Service land: Sucker Creek Road through Sculpture in the Wild, then to Airport Drive

• Forest Service Administrative Area: Sculpture in the Wild, Administrative Area: walking, biking


Q. 8. Within the Lincoln Study Area, do you think there are adequate public access points to the Blackfoot River? Out of the 80 responses, 71 percent of people did not think there were adequate public access points to the Blackfoot River.

Q. 9. While not part of this trails plan, or this Study Area, in the future do you support creat-ing trail connections between the town of Lin-coln and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest? Of the 79 responses, 93 percent of people were in support of creating trail connections between the town of Lincoln and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

Lincoln Community River Park grand opening, photo by Chris Gibisch


funding TraiLs TypicaLLy takes the support of the business community, elected officials, gov-ernment agencies, and community leaders. It is crucial to educate trail users and the community about the benefits of an improved trails system, such as expanded economic benefits from tour-ism, increased quality of life for local residents, energy savings associated with alternative trans-portation, and increased safety with dedicated bike lanes and separated pathways. There are a wide variety of potential funding sources for Lincoln trails, including state and fed-eral funding, regional funding, and funding from nongovernmental organizations. Federal, state, and private grants can help communities with trails planning, development, and land acquisi-tion. These grants can also help to encourage lo-cal investments. Having an adopted comprehen-sive trails plan is critical for communities seeking grants funds. An adopted plan demonstrates that the community is sufficiently organized and capable of administering grant funds and has a vision of its future trails system. Successful grant applications also need to show interjurisdictional cooperation between organizations at all levels of government and the private sector.

State and Federal Funding

Note: State funds can be used to match federal funds, which can help with securing and leveraging federal funding.

• Safe Routes to Schools: The Safe Routes to Schools Program is a federal program working to enable children to bike and walk to school. Federal funding is available for Safe Routes to Schools projects through the federal Transpor-tation Alternatives Program.

• National Forest Foundation: The National Forest Foundation is a partner of the U.S. Forest Service that focuses on protecting and

enhancing forestlands. The foundation offers a suite of grant programs that support place-based organizations in implementing conser-vation work and building internal capacity in order to increase the impact and benefits to their community, environment, and economy.

• National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program: The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program provides technical assistance grants for conservation and recreation projects. State or local agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and citizen groups are eligible to apply for this funding.

• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks provides a variety of funding programs and grants to government entities in Montana for the provision of equip-ment and the creation and renovation of outdoor recreational facilities. Relevant grant programs include the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program.

• Lewis and Clark County Land, Water, and Wildlife Bond: In November 2008, voters in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, approved the Land, Water, and Wildlife bond measure, a $10 million general obligation bond measure for “protecting drinking water sources and ground water quality; protecting water quality in and along rivers and streams; conserving working farm, ranch and forest lands; protect-ing wildlife areas; preserving open lands and natural areas; providing for recreation; and managing growth and development.” Funds generated by sales of these bonds will be distributed through the Open Lands Program. The primary purpose of the program is to con-serve resources on private lands in Lewis and Clark County that fulfill the objectives of the bond measure.

Appendix 3. Funding for Trails


Nongovernmental Sources and User Fees

• Private foundations: Numerous foundations in Montana and nationally fund projects related to trails, pathways, and open spaces. This funding is usually secured through a competitive grant application processes. Many groups in the area have been successful at securing grants and other funds from private foundations.

• Business support: Local businesses, which often benefit from the tourism and economic activity generated by trails, open spaces, and other recreational amenities, may provide funding, donations of goods, and other forms of in-kind support for trail, open space, path-way, and connectivity projects. Businesses can help with events, donate products for fund-raising efforts, and make direct contribu-tions, as well as help with marketing trail and connectivity efforts.

º Opt-in by customer: In Salida, Colorado, the Boathouse Cantina, a locally owned restaurant, created a voluntary one percent donation program (from all of its sales) to raise funds for the trail construction efforts of Salida Mountain Trails, a local nonprofit. An additional one percent is automatically added to the pretax food/beverage bill at

the Boathouse Cantina. Patrons can opt out of the donation if they wish. In addition to the one percent donation, the Boathouse Cantina contributes an additional 10 per-cent of the total collected from this pro-gram. Since inception in 2014, this program has provided more than $75,000 directly to Salida Mountain Trails to build new trails, redesign trails, and add signage to trails.

• Grants from recreation advocacy organiza-tions: Many biking organizations, such as the League of American Bicyclists and the Inter-national Mountain Bicycling Association, offer grants and other programs to support trail and pathway development and maintenance. These funds typically are targeted toward helping with specific projects and maintenance.

• Voluntary contributions fund: It may be pos-sible to set up a fund at the local level to which people could make voluntary contributions to support trail efforts in Lincoln. The Lewis and Clark County Community Foundation, Montana Community Foundation, and Black-foot Challenge are organizations that can help facilitate charitable contributions for such a purpose.


Notes

The Trust for Public Land 1007 East Main St., Suite 300

Bozeman, MT 59715406-522-7450

tpl.org

Photo by Chris Gibisch

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