Volunteers needed to expand city pathway to Red Bridge

The Columbia Falls community will soon have a new way to experience the Flathead River as it flows through town. The First Best Place Task Force has announced the kickoff of the Kreck Riverwalk Trail project, a pathway that will begin at the west end of the Historic Red Bridge and meander upstream along the water's edge to the paved bike trails at Cedar Pointe subdivision at the end of South Nucleus.

The Task Force has organized a volunteer clean-up day for Saturday, Oct. 18 at the trail site. The purpose will be to clear brush, clean up trash and lay out the basic trail path. Volunteers are asked to bring yard/brush clearing tools and to wear protective clothing and gloves. Work will start at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

The trail was made possible by a generous donation by Dr. Loren Kreck. Kreck, a long-time resident of Columbia Falls and an avid outdoorsman, approached the Task Force last year to offer a roughly 450-foot easement dedication along the waterline of his property near the bridge. This started the ball rolling on a project the Task Force had previously identified as one of their primary goals.

The trail will include a paved approach along Red Bridge Road (leading to the bridge) and a viewing platform at the water's edge. A rustic walking path will be constructed at the high-water mark near this new public river access site and will lead up across the Kreck property. It is likely that the trail will filter onto the public access portion of the riverfront at its mid-point until two additional easements can be obtained for properties adjacent to Kreck's. The trail will then cross over the existing open space at Cedar Pointe to join the extensive path system there. The river portion of the path will be made of gravel with a boulder edging; the goal is to keep the path natural and unobtrusive while promoting an interactive experience with the river and the incredible views.

"We are not seeking to build a pedestrian superhighway through that beautiful shoreline," said Barry Conger, the Task Force's executive director. "We want to keep it as natural as possible so that folks can feel like they are a part of the river experience, and the impact to the viewshed on the river will be negligible."

In addition to the trail itself, the Task Force plans to create a sheltered observation platform at the end of Red Bridge Road on what is now an abandoned section of roadway. The plan calls for a small covered structure, perhaps with benches or picnic tables, and improved areas for car parking and bike racks.

BRUCE LUTZ, of Sitescape Associates, designed the trail and the observation area. "We hope to be able to create a place where people can gather to enjoy the views of the river and stroll along the Kreck trail. The city bike paths will lead directly to this spot, so it's a wonderful location for a public gathering area. People often go there now, parking here or there and making their own way down to the shoreline. This will be a safer and far more attractive option for people wishing to spend time at the river," Lutz said.

A long-term goal of the Task Force is to rehabilitate the Red Bridge as a community asset.

The next step for the project, after the volunteer work day, will be to secure financial contributions and donations of materials and labor for the construction. The river path will need gravel, sand and other basic materials, as well as some heavy equipment work. The access platform and initial approach of the trail will be paved, and the group is seeking help with that portion of the project. In addition, the observation shelter will require donations of materials and labor.

"We feel confident that the community will come together to support this project," Conger said. "Already we have had all the design work donated by Mr. Lutz, with help from Forestoration, a trail design company, and engineering assistance from Jackola Engineering. This is the way projects like this happen, and we are excited about the gathering momentum."

For more information about volunteering, contact Shayne Hatfield at 892-2868 or e-mail badrock@cyberport.net.

Those interested in donating to this First Best Place project are asked to go to the Task Force's Web site at www.firstbestplace.org, or mail contributions to 2130 Ninth St. W., #131, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Submitted by Barry Conger, First Best Place Task Force Executive Director.