By Maggie Doherty

Likes trail

To all those who helped launch, construct, and organize the Whitefish Trail system, my sincere thanks. It's been incredible to have public trail access within minutes of town, and I'm so lucky to live so close to the Lion Mountain trailhead that I can easily pedal my bike to the trail.

Whitefish, while surrounded by many millions acres of spectacular public lands, from Glacier to the Bob, has been needing public trails close to town that are open to a variety of different users.

The Whitefish Trail is beautiful, and I've thoroughly enjoyed hiking and biking on the trail this summer. I recently took a great evening ride, and the fall colors are just starting to turn and there's nothing like biking during the Montana fall season.

Due to volunteers and partnering agencies and generous donors, this trail system is a wonderful success story for Whitefish and the public who now have access to utilize these trails year round. Again, I want to thank all of those who have dedicated their time, efforts and funds to this project. I hope more people will become actively involved in the trail project and Whitefish will continue its efforts to improve public trails, including the Fish Trails.

I think there has been a need and will be an increase in pedestrian traffic on U.S. 93 from downtown Whitefish to the Lion Mountain trailhead, so I would like to encourage the city and the county to explore options to either install a sidewalk or bike lane to create a safe corridor for pedestrians.

Congratulations to the Whitefish Trail project in conserving lands for public use.

Maggie Doherty

Whitefish