Kalispell's Lawrence Park gets new trail

It wasn’t long ago that Kalispell’s Lawrence Park had developed an unfavorable reputation. Transients had taken over a wooded area across from the main pavilion with the Stillwater River bordering the southeast side.

But behind the idea of city Parks and Recreation Superintendent Fred Bicha, and the involvement of many in the community, the approximately 118-acre park off North Main is regaining its stature as a place that’s safe for people of all ages.

Two years ago, Kalispell Police, city workers and the volunteer Flathead Marines worked to clean up the area. Now, a new nature trail is being built through that same forested area.

“We wanted to have a place in the city where people could have a nature-based experience, see some wildlife and get some exercise,” Bicha said.

“With Glacier Park so close and all the national forest land, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. But not everyone can get to those places, so we thought creating something like this would be a good idea.”

Some of the property the new trail runs through was sold to the city last spring for $1 by Kalispell-based construction company Knife River. Cleanup efforts began shortly after the sale was approved, and just recently the trail construction started.

The trail, which will total about a half-mile when finished, begins across from the large pavilion and loops back to a parking lot near the playground. Trail users will be able to choose a shorter loop or one that goes a bit farther toward the Stillwater River.

Bicha said he is hoping the trail work is done by the end of September.

“But everyone is welcome to use it now and we’ve seen people on it already,” Bicha said.

Crews from the Montana Conservation Corps are doing the dirty work of clearing brush and cutting up large trees. Two crews have worked on the trail, making better-than-expected progress.

The crew working there Tuesday included a varied group of young people who are led by two youthful crew leaders, Ben Perkins, who hails from southern Utah, and Erin Carter, a north Floridian.

They have supervised the work of five teenagers who call Montana home. Juniper Issak is a Kalispell resident, Hunter Jordan is from Troy, John Weber is from the Ukraine and lives in Kalispell with his family during the summer, Kathryn Hardy is from Missoula, Ryan Beissel is from Hamilton, and Kobey Ridesatthedoor is from Browning.

The crew used pick axes and hand-held trimmers to clear the trail — it’s clear they all enjoy being outdoors.

The trail they helped build is thick with wildlife, including white-tailed deer, beaver, raccoons, herons, kingfishers and other species that prefer wetland-type environments.

“We think connecting the public with nature is always a good idea and getting the public to have ownership of the park is important too,” Bicha said. “I feel a heckuva lot safer walking through the park now than before and that’s because the park is cleaned up and people are realizing they can go in there and enjoy themselves.”

The community involvement included a $5,000 grant from Kalispell-based Applied Materials that helped pay for the Montana Conservation Corps crew. Fresh Life Church placed wood chips that are being used to surface the trail.

Once the trail work is complete, Eagle Scout candidate Sean Mccurry is working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Dave Landstrom and the city to develop an interpretive sign system about wildlife habitat and nature.

Once the trail is complete, Bicha still has more plans for the trail.

“I can envision a bird sanctuary, and someday it’d be great to tie it in to the rail park. There is also a two-track off Whitefish Stage Road where a parking area could be built,” Bicha said.

Bicha said the various features of the area are what make it special.

“All the area schools come here at the end of the year and it will be cool for the teachers to be able to have a place to take the kids to teach them about nature, trees, wildlife and their connectivity,” Bicha said. “The other thing I really love about this project is the power of the community to come together and make it happen.”

Reporter Scott Shindledecker can be reached at (406) 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.