foystoblacktailtrails.org http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org Foy's to Blacktail Trails at Herron Park Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:18:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Foy’s to Blacktail Trails http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org/index.php/foy%e2%80%99s-to-blacktail-trails/ http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org/index.php/foy%e2%80%99s-to-blacktail-trails/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:38:44 +0000 FTBT http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org/?p=3

Winter is with us-come out & play.

Whether it’s a family on a walk, single-track mountain bikers, horseback riders or kids learning about nature, folks of all ages regularly enjoy the Foy’s to Blacktail trails above Herron Park, less than 10 minutes from downtown Kalispell.   Our goal is to secure permanent public access to this popular area right outside the “front door” of many Flathead Valley residents. This easily accessible forested area is also the gateway to timberlands extending south to Blacktail Mountain above Lakeside.

Our Mission

  • To secure historic access to trails and lands connecting Herron Park to the forest lands at Blacktail Mountain
  • To provide for long term stewardship of these trails
  • To accomplish this mission through voluntary and cooperative means

What We’re Doing

Foy’s to Blacktail Trails (FTBT) is currently focusing its efforts on purchasing a 220-acre parcel above Herron Park (view Herron Park/TCF Map here). This is the gateway to forest lands extending south to Blacktail Mountain, and is the land most frequently used. (Originally the parcel was 320 acres–we’ve already purchased 100 and added it to the park!)  Our current goal is to raise $1.5 million in order to purchase this land from The Conservation Fund, a non-profit organization holding it temporarily while we raise the money to buy it.

Pacific Steel

Dale Augusta of Pacific Steel & Recycling presented an $8,000 donation to FTBT in August, 2011

We’re making solid progress toward this goal.  Since December  2010, Herron Park has grown from 120 to 220 acres,  thanks  to FTBT.  Much fundraising remains to be done in order to purchase the remaining 220 acres of The Conservation Fund parcel. Please join us in our efforts to keep “front door recreation” open to everyone.

Our strategy for protecting access to this land and enhancing the user experience includes:

  • Using grant funds and volunteers to create safe, signed trails that accommodate the needs of diverse users, from families with small children to thrill-seeking mountain bike riders
  • Phasing purchase of The Conservation Fund parcel so that FTBT can buy it in approximately 6-8 sequential phases
  • Working on partnerships encouraging use of this property as a teaching tool for forest stewardship and education  (Foy’s Community Forest).

Answers to FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) best explain this project.

For more inspiration on the importance of keeping the door open to this special place, take a moment to read our brief Case Statement.

Comment and check out updates on Trail Talk

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