Trail Sections

BikeNet Newsletter

Stewart Park & The Big Ditch

December 2006

Two new sections of trail were dedicated with a celebration. A number of folks started the event by biking the new trail through Stewart Park over to the dedication site at the new stone trail marker along Central. The Blue Blazer was there to help with the ribbon cutting ceremony along with the Mayor, Bruce Barrett from Montana Department of Transportation, representatives from Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands, Planning and Community Services as well as representatives from the design and construction companies. 

Most of the funds for the Stewart Park Trail came from CTEP (Community Transportation Enhancement Program) with a smaller grant from the Recreational Trails Program and the match from the GO Bond.  The new stone sign was donated by Land Design, Inc.  BikeNet also had board members present and after a few words and the cutting of the ribbon, the biking group rode on to the next dedication at the Big Ditch Trail while the others traversed by car. 

Those of us biking realized quickly how the trail segments are becoming close to connecting.  We rode across Central through Descro on the trail and at Broadwater we headed west on the street. It was only a couple of blocks before we hit the new bike trail along Zimmerman and we could bike all the way to Poly. Then hitting the street again, we rode west on Poly to 38 Street West and swung down to the trail by Poly Vista ballfields and then under Shiloh to the dedication of the Big Ditch Trail, Phase 1. 

BikeNet set up refreshments of cookies and hot cocoa for the celebration and Nancy Boyer joined us for the ribbon cutting and to say a few words to the group.  BikeNet provided the $21,000 match for this trail segment.  CMG and Fisher Sand & Gravel were also recognized for their additional contribution of supplies and construction for more trail footage.  What a great day and what a nice addition to the Billings’ trail network!

The Stewart Park Trail will continue the trail south that was built through Descro Park with a pedestrian/bike crossing at Central. It will run through Stewart Park along the BBWA canal and then link to Monad with an at grade street crossing similar to the Central refuge island and progress through Lampman Park strip to connect with the trail that was built along Famous Dave’s. This new section will add a mile of hard surface trail to the existing network and provide more connectivity for the established neighborhoods and create an opportunity for an alternate transportation corridor. This section of trail also received funding from the Recreational Trails Program and the 1999 GO Bond can be used to provide the required local match for both RTP and CTEP.

The Big Ditch Trail will provide a trail link west from the Shiloh Underpass to Larchwood Lane along the Big Ditch. The Rush Subdivision and Rimrock West Subdivision are both developing quickly and this trail will provide a safe route for children accessing under the widening Shiloh Road to attend Arrowhead School. The local match of $21,000 for this section of trail is being provided by BikeNet from the Ales for Trails event. The City is hoping to secure a 2006 CTEP grant to continue the trail west from Larchwood to 46th St. W. and Rimrock West Park.

Both of these sections of trail will add to the already growing network of trails in the Billing’s community.

Central Crossing	Trail corridor along the BBWA through Stewart Park
Stewart Park Ballfields	Monad Crossing
Trail Crossing through Lampman	Connection to existing trail by Famous Dave's