More bike, walking trails planned, meeting set

Press release Opportunity Link Inc.

A streets and trails workshop will take place in Havre Tuesday, Oct. 21, at HRDC, 2229 5th Ave.from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This workshop is open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend and gather information and resources on planning, design and funding of town and city streets as well as walking and biking trails. 

This workshop has been developed from resident input gathered at more than 30 community meetings during the Vibrant Futures Regional Planning Project.  Community leaders and active citizens have expressed a great need for safer, more accessible city streets with a focus on ensuring sidewalks are wheelchair accessible and that routes to schools are well maintained and safe.

Residents identified a need for more connected and extensive walking and biking trail systems.

They expressed that expansion of existing walking and biking trails would provide communities with greater health assets, increased connectivity to key locations — such as stores and schools — and parks, as well as additional activities for attracting tourists and visitors.

Cathy Costakis, Senior Built Environment consultant for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, will present planning and design methods for maximizing the safety and accessibility of city streets along with the health and convenience benefits for residents.

Melinda Barnes, executive director of the nonprofit organization Bike Walk Montana, will share recent statistics on the economic profits of bicycle tourism in Montana and potential opportunities for communities to support, and benefit from, cyclists to the region.

The workshop will also include a local perspective on pursuing street and trail projects.

Laura Pankratz, a Malta community leader, will share her story of rallying support and funding for several Malta-area projects to expand walking trails in and around the town.

Rebecca Gleason and Taylor Lonsdale, experts from the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, will share resources on various funding options that communities can access and how to make applications for trail grants more competitive. 

Attendees will gain a better understanding of how to plan for greater safety and access of streets and trails in their communities and across the region.

Participants will be able to take an inventory of funding resources for potential projects along with a directory of contacts in the field of pedestrian and bicycle travel.

This is a free workshop. Lunch will be provided, and community members are encouraged to attend. For more information and to RSVP, call 406-265-3699, ext. 229.