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Dogs, horses, parking issues highlight Whitefish Trail meeting

by Heidi Van Everen and Carla Belski
| November 20, 2013 9:00 PM

What better time to evaluate the Whitefish Trail than after a great season of hiking, biking and exploring the lands surrounding Whitefish.

The annual Whitefish Trail public meeting and review took place last month and included a meeting held at City Hall in conjunction with comments submitted via email.

A wide variety of trail users and supporters were represented, including hikers, runners, dog walkers, horse users, outdoor clubs, and business owners. Officials from the DNRC, the City of Whitefish, Whitefish Legacy Partners, and Forestoration were on hand to listen to community feedback.

A diversity of comments and concerns were submitted but most tended to focus on a few major issues. The following key points summarize topics presented by trail users.

Dogs

Feedback varied from thankfulness that the trail does not have a leash law to other users showing great concern about dogs not being under voice control. Waste clean-up was also a continuing concern. 

Horse use

Issues presented included horse parking at trailheads, restricting use of horses on Lion Mountain, and waste clean-up.

User courtesy

Concerns included speeding on roads that access trailheads resulting in increased dust and safety issues in adjoining neighborhoods. On the trail courtesy issues arose around bikers not yielding to large groups of hikers.

Parking and crowding

Over capacity at Lion Mountain trailhead was brought up numerous times and suggestions were made including adding a new parking lot and additional trail loop options with restricted use designations.

The creation of another trailhead close to town to alleviate overuse at Lion Mountain was also suggested. The West Second Street bike path, to be constructed summer 2014, was also discussed. Other trailheads were not mentioned to have overcrowding issues.

Signs

Additional signage for trail user responsibilities, way finding signs, and signs on the highway to indicate trailhead locations were suggested.

The comments received will continue to be reviewed and evaluated. This input from the public is vital to shaping planning and management decisions for the upcoming year.

Something also worth noting was the abundance of positive comments received. Comments like “fabulous job on all trails,” and “I love the trail system,” to “great for the future of Whitefish,” and “we are truly creating something of long-term value for our town,” re-emphasized the positive impacts the trail is making on the community.  

While the trail may never be perfect for everyone at every moment, we are heading in the right direction. Thank you to those who took the time to send in comments or attend the annual review meeting. The Whitefish Trail is user-supported and we encourage everyone to be involved, volunteer and donate at www.whitefishlegacy.org to support this wonderful amenity in our community. It’s ON….The Whitefish Trail!

— Heidi Van Everen and Carla Belski