Trail work ongoing in Herron Park

It took hours for crew members from the Montana Conservation Corps along with Foys to Blacktail Trails volunteers to ring out and clean off their gear after days spent constructing new trails last week during rainy weather and muddy conditions.

But the result, when work nears completion in May, will be new pathways in Herron Park near Foys Lake.

These trails are one of Foys to Blacktail Trails' current projects. The goal of the local organization is to secure access to land and trails that connect Herron Park to Blacktail Mountain near Lakeside.

Crews have been working to reroute what's been referred to as the "horse trail." The trail has had problems with erosion steamed from its alignment, board member Matt Brake said. In parts it was 10-feet wide and in other areas steep and straight up, causing water to stay standing on the trail or use it as a pathway down. The Montana Conservation Corps crews began work April 19.

This, along with a family trail that will be handicap accessible that is also under construction, is part of the proposed trail plan for the park.

Foys to Blacktail worked with Forestoration Inc., a trail design firm based in Whitefish, to help design the project.

Though the trails are one step in the project, the larger focus of Foys to Blacktail has been on expanding Herron Park.

"Everything we're fundraising for is solely for expanding Herron Park," Brake said.

Foys to Blacktail arranged for The Conservation Fund to purchase the 320-acre parcel above Herron Park in 2007 to prevent its sale and closure to the public and then for Foys to Blacktail to purchase the property by an extended deadline of September 2012.

This would expand the park from its current 120 acres to 440 acres. The total cost will be roughly $2.3 million.

Aside from its logical connection to the west of the current Herron Park, the area is considered a gateway to forested lands headed south to Blacktail.

If the organization is successful, Flathead County will accept the land and manage it as part of the park.

Right now, Brake estimates the group has approximately 20 percent of the funding. They hope to close on phases one and two by the end of the fiscal year — about 88 acres, Brake said. Grants, including a $70,000 Recreational Trails Program grant, administered by the State of Montana, will also help with purchasing the first parcel of land from The Conservation Fund.

The Flathead County Weed/Parks/Recreation Board, which had some funds to disperse for county parks for the next fiscal year, also recently awarded $62,500 in matching funds to the group, though those will not be available until late summer or fall.

The Lakeside community helped with fundraising last month as well, as Foys to Blacktail was the featured non-profit of Tamarack Brewing Company's Community Tap Night on Wednesday, April 14. During the event, 75 cents of every pint sold went to the group.

Every little bit helps, Brake said.

"We're definitely actively seeking potential donors — large and small," Brake said. "It seems to be that roughly half our funds come from small donations. They certainly add up."

Even though the focus is on purchasing the property, trail work is still ongoing. Another smaller crew from the Montana Conservation Corps be back at work May 10.

The goal is to have work on the family and horse trail roughly completed by May 14, in time for the Herron Hustle on May 15. The hustle, which begins at 9 a.m., is a 5.5-mile trail run or walk to benefit Foys to Blacktail Trails' work. This year's event also features a kids' fun run. Registration is available in advance at www.herronhustle.com. Costs are $15 for adults and $10 for children if received by May 10. Race day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. is $20 for adults and $15 for children.

The final work on those trails will be done June 5 during National Trails Day. The organization will be encouraging volunteers to come out and help. That work day will start at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 4:30 p.m.

To find out more or to make a donation, visit the group's website at www.foystoblacktailtrails.org.