Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan July 2018 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan July 2018 Students learn about Tree Circus at Sculpture in the Wild, photo by Caleb Fey Cover photo: The Blackfoot River, photo by Chris Gibisch The Trust for Public Land Blackfoot Challenge 1007 East Main St., Suite 300 405 Main St. Bozeman, MT 59715 Ovando, MT 59854 406-522-7450 406-793-3900 tpl.org blackfootchallenge.org 2 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Table of Contents 4 Preface 5 Introduction Lincoln, Montana Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Trail Benefits 8 Purpose Vision Statement 9 Public Input Envision Lincoln 2018 Survey 2018 Workshops 11 Proposed Trails Types of Trails Field Verification Trail Prioritization Highway 200 Pedestrian Crossings 15 Implementation Trail Development Constraints Education Funding 18 Action Plan 21 Conclusion 24 Appendix 1. Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Participants 26 Appendix 2. Summary of the 2018 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Community Survey 31 Appendix 3. Funding for Trails Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan 3 1. Preface ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PROJECT PartNERS THE LINCOLN IN-TOWN Trails Plan (Trails Plan) The Trust for Public Land is a national non- was made possible with generous support from profit organization dedicated to creating parks the LOR Foundation, Blackfoot Challenge, and and protecting land for people, ensuring healthy, The Trust for Public Land. More than a hundred livable communities for generations to come. people participated in the Lincoln community trail survey. In addition, more than 25 people Blackfoot Challenge coordinates efforts that committed their valuable time to Trails Plan conserve and enhance natural resources and the workshops, and 15 provided local knowledge rural way of life in the Blackfoot watershed for and expertise to the trails plan steering commit- present and future generations. tee. Twelve people volunteered to participate in the trail verification process. The names of those who participated in the workshops and the steer- PROJECT Staff ing committee are shown in Appendix 1 (Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Participants). We appreciate Amy McNamara, The Trust for Public Land the time, energy, resources, and passion that part- Karyn Good, Blackfoot Challenge ners, community members, and the LOR Founda- Chrissy Pepino, The Trust for Public Land tion contributed to make this in-town trails plan possible. PROJECT TEAM This Trails Plan was prepared by The Trust for Public Land in partnership with the Blackfoot Challenge. 4 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan 2. Introduction “What makes a trail is the journey, LINCOLN IN-TOWN whether it’s on dirt, through a railroad tunnel, over a boardwalk, or along TRAILS PLAN a scenic waterway. Trails in all their BETWEEN OCTOBER 2017 AND 2018, Lincoln variety connect us to our world, our brought community leaders and residents togeth- history, and our heritage of wild places.” er to set a solid foundation for collaboration. Lin- —Stuart MacDonald, American Trails Magazine (2008) coln’s community leaders guided a process called Envision Lincoln that was designed to build on LINCOLN, MONtaNA Lincoln’s existing efforts and accomplishments and invite all residents to participate and share LINCOLN, MONTANA IS A TOWN of approxi- their perspectives. Envision Lincoln developed an mately 900 people that is surrounded by incredi- overarching vision to guide a collaborative effort ble scenic beauty and located within a 90-minute that would help attract families to Lincoln and re- drive to three major Montana cities: Helena, tain them, spur economic opportunities, and keep Missoula, and Great Falls. Located just west of what makes Lincoln a special place to live. the Continental Divide and halfway between Together, Lincoln residents worked to devel- Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Lincoln op the following vision for this effort and their is bordered by the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat community: Wilderness areas to the north and the celebrated Blackfoot River to the south. Lincoln is a community with a small-town Residents and visitors enjoy outdoor activities atmosphere and unique natural environment all year round in Lincoln. These include but are that is working together to be a place that thrives not limited to hiking, snowmobiling, mountain economically and culturally and supports the well- biking, fly fishing, hunting, and wildlife watch- being of its residents. ing. The Lincoln Ranger District of the Hele- Moving forward, Envision Lincoln will be na-Lewis and Clark National Forest “hugs” Lin- implemented by the Envision Lincoln Core Team coln and offers many amenities, including trails. as well as the Economy, Natural Environment, Trail opportunities within the town of Lincoln, and Health and Well-Being action teams. All three however, have been limited. Blackfoot Pathways: action teams recognized that trails can contribute Sculpture in the Wild provides trails within the toward a prosperous future for Lincoln and its park to walk between sculptures, and the new residents. As such, the community identified de- Blackfoot River Community Park has a short path veloping an in-town trails plan as an implementa- from the parking lot to the river. Also, the com- tion priority. munity has used the borrow pit along Highway In April 2018 the Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan 200 as a multiuse trail for decades. Steering Committee (steering committee) was created. The steering committee is made up of Envision Lincoln participants, residents, Lincoln stakeholders, and state and federal agencies. Blackfoot Challenge and The Trust for Public Land worked with the steering committee to solicit community input and convene workshops Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan 5 to develop this Trails Plan. Using grant funding 5. Trails support active lifestyles to improve (from the LOR Foundation) and financial support health and reduce stress. from local groups, the project partners complet- 6. Trails help people access open space, and help ed the Trails Plan, which prioritizes potential showcase culturally and ecologically signifi- new trails based on community input. While cant areas. this final report lays out a set of Priority I trails 7. Trails can be designed to make it safer to walk for development, this plan should be considered and bike between community assets such a living document. Envision Lincoln and other as schools, libraries, parks, and downtown local groups should revisit priority-setting and businesses. implementation goals frequently as development patterns, community priorities, and funding op- 8. Trails help build a strong sense of community. portunities change over time. 9. Trails increase the opportunities for walking, Based on input from the community survey bicycling, and active transportation and com- and from the steering committee, the Trails Plan muting. focuses primarily on nonmotorized trails and on- 10. Trails provide meaningful opportunities to road bike and walk lanes. Lincoln has more than connect to the outdoors. 250 miles of snowmobile trails on adjacent Nation- al Forest lands that are groomed by the Ponderosa Economic Benefits Snow Warriors. Also, the U.S. Forest Service’s By attracting tourists and providing recreational Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and opportunities for residents, trails can create jobs Clark National Forest completed a summer travel and spawn new businesses. Trail-seeking tourists plan in 2017 to address motorized and nonmotor- buy supplies, rent equipment, dine, and stay over ized use of the Lincoln Ranger District. in trailhead communities. Property values can be enhanced with new, accessible trail amenities. Destination trails attract visitors whose spend- TRAIL BENEFITS ing has ripple effects throughout the local areas MANY FACTORS MOTIVATE communities to surrounding the trails. Trails that attract visitors plan and develop trails. Trails can make a com- for overnight stays are particularly beneficial, as munity more attractive to tourists, prospective are trails that are directly linked to towns by spur employers, and potential future residents. A well- trails or shuttles. planned trail system creates a safer and more For example, in Wyoming, Teton County’s livable community and can be a tool to preserve trail system attracts tens of thousands annually. green space and provide access to public places Significant tourism dollars are generated by the and waterways. Trails can also encourage resi- trails’ attractions. An investment of $1.7 million dents to be healthier and more active. Trails can has been made in the county’s trail system in the provide the following benefits: past decade. Nearly $18 million flowed into the 1. Trails support the local economy through tour- community in 2010 alone as a direct result of the ism and civic improvement. Teton County trail system—an enormous eco- nomic return on the initial investment. Similarly, 2. Trails strengthen the historic and cultural fab- in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the cost of pub- ric of local communities. lic investments in trails has been far outstripped 3. Trails increase property values. by the economic contributions of visitors to the 4. Trails can provide opportunities for physical local economy. Recreation-focused visitors who activity for a wide range of people, including later become residents and business owners can those with disabilities, children, youth, and also play a big role in growing local economies. seniors. 6 Lincoln In-Town Trails Plan Well-designed trail systems can also increase increases in self-esteem and mental well-being property values. Studies in San