Billings Association of Realtors joyfully presented Billings TrailNet with a check for $38,000 last Thursday, September 5, the day before Ales for Trails.

The donation, one of the highest the Realtors have been able to give, came from proceeds raised at the Quality of Life Run held last August.

Trails are considered by realtors as a major quality of life asset that draw new residents to Billings and help to enhance home sales in neighborhoods where trails exist.

Mikayla Kovash and Brian Terry, Quality of Life Run co-chairs, are both trail users themselves.

“I am a runner and utilize the trail system year-round to decompress and enjoy the magnificent beauty our state has to offer,” says Mikayla.

She adds, “many of my home buyers are looking for ways to get outside with their family and pets. Buying a home with a close trail can really be a huge benefit. Trails can help them to connect with neighbors and navigate their new neighborhoods.”

In addition to this generous donation from the Billings Association of Realtors, Billings TrailNet also received checks for $5,000 each from Billings Clinic, Big Sky Economic Development and the Billings Chamber of Commerce earlier in the summer.

Billings TrailNet will use the funds to help develop at Skyline Trail and other trails around the community.