Would it surprise you to learn that the people responsible for much of this year’s Fish Trails Bike/Pedestrian path progress are developers? With Fish Trails fundraising for the general public only recently underway, much of this year’s strides toward Fish Trails creation are thanks to local developers.

And while the future may bring a city bike/pedestrian path construction requirement, thus far, bike path development within subdivisions and commercial developments is thanks to the kindness and community conscience of your friendly neighborhood real estate investor.

The biggest section of privately donated easements and new trail construction (also donated) comes from the developments nearby the Mountain Mall. Two developers donated and built trails: Randy and Kay Creech, owners of River’s Edge Properties, LLC, and Bill and Judy Halama, of Riverview Development and Riverview Townhomes. Together, the two couples constructed almost a half-mile of trail alongside the Whitefish River.

If the city of Whitefish gave out a nicest developer of the year award, the Creech’s would be the top contenders. They went the extra mile by both donating easements and building the bike path on their dime. And while some may seek to provide the bare minimum when creating Fish Trails, the Creech’s sacrificed profits and put in extra expense to construct a trail that will last for future generations. The top of the line trail runs the perimeter of their single-family development behind the Mountain Mall

They saved trees and grades and meandered their section of trail beside the river, and even engineered costly bank stabilization with 32 foot deep steel pilings designed to support bridges.

The Creech’s and Gary Ince, who coordinated the project for the Creech’s, met with city personnel to ensure that the trail was done to exacting standards.

“It was towards the community good. (The Creech’s and I) met with Whitefish and realized it was a great thing to do—to have a Whitefish trail system.”

The Creech’s, who are ranchers from Stevensville, Mont., live part time in Whitefish and believe in promoting the town’s community projects. In keeping with Creech’s motto—do it right for Whitefish and for their development—they made sure that the trail was built to last.

Likewise, Bill and Judy Halama didn’t shy away from Fish Trail investment when it came to their commercial development. For the Halama’s, who once lived in Southern California where bike path construction is required from all new developments and where people use and love their trail system, adding trail was no problem.

It’s a positive thing for the community and it’s good to be a part of it,” commented Bill Halama from his home in Whitefish.

The Halama’s hope their two donations—one easement on the trail section east of Greenwood Terraces; the other combination easement donation and trail construction on their Riverview Townhouses—will help the community further it’s goal of an interlinking trail system.

With citizens, the city and developers chipping in to make Fish Trails a reality throughout Whitefish, we can expect our trail system to grow as fast as our little town.