PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS Overview

The Beaverhead Trails Coalition’s (BTC) mission is to: (1) increase and improve access to safe and enjoyable walking and biking opportunities and (2) encourage physical outdoor activity such as walking, hiking and biking. The orange boxes on the map above highlight BTC’s contributions and ongoing work.

The Walking School Bus and Safe Routes to Schools, programs began in 2010 and BTC’s organization as a 501(c)(3) in 2012 provided a foundation for work developing infrastructure. By 2015 we had completed our first project. At the end of 2022, BTC’s direct investment in land acquisition, park restoration, downtown bike racks, and miles of walking, hiking and biking trails totaled nearly $960,000. And, the work continues. Read on for brief overview of the programs; click on the links for details.

Two programs’ focus is creating the infrastructure for the first part of our mission:

  • The High Trails Program began with plans to acquire land west of Dillon for creation of public-accessible, non-motorized trails in 2014. Since that time BTC has acquired 1,150 acres of land and created more than 10 miles of trails and made other improvements. And, the High Trails development continues.

  • The Connectivity Program is concerned with improving non-motorized transportation and related amenities in the City of Dillon and the immediate area. In pursuit of this goal, BTC’s work includes constructing walking and biking trails and marking, signing and publicizing safe routes in cooperation with the City and other government, public, and private organizations.

Two other programs are more focused on enabling and encouraging related activities:

  • The Walking Schoobus Program provides a non-motorized alternative for children to get to school while getting some exercise. The program began in 2010 and continues in partnership with Beaverhead County.

  • The Bicycle Recycling Program also began in 2010 to help provide people, especially children, a free bike to use. Bike Walk Southwest Montana, a partner organization, assumed the program in 2018, including collecting and and repairing donated bicycles.

12/26/2022

Get Moving!