As Michael Sanderson runs along the rims, he looks out over the city below and envisions a trail system throughout our community which is connected to neighborhoods, shopping and recreation areas.

Michael is the president and CEO of Sanderson Stewart, a Billings engineering firm he has helped to expand to four locations in three states, with projects that reach throughout the region and across North America.

Michael’s extensive travels abroad have shown him how other communities across the globe have designed places for people to walk, bike and live actively; and he believes that Billings is well-positioned to be on par with the best of those communities.

He loves the idea of the Marathon Loop in particular, because he says, “no matter where you are in this community, you would never be very far from a trail.”

“The beauty of the future Marathon Loop is that brings trail users to both the river and the rims,” he explains, and adds that “you can be on the trail and feel like you are a world away from the city.”

Sanderson Stewart became a corporate member of Billings TrailNet in 2019, because Billings TrailNet’s mission aligns well with the company’s ultimate purpose: “to plan and design enduring communities,” and Sanderson Stewart sees trails as an integral part of an enduring community.

“Well-designed neighborhoods connected to trails and parks are part of that enduring community vision,” says Michael.

Sanderson Stewart has designed the Skyline Trail, and chief design engineer Tim Pirtz has taken great care in creating a trail that will take advantage of the views and vantage points along the rims.

“A really good trail system lets you both recreate and use it for transportation to get to where you want to go,” Michael concludes.

Thank you Michael Sanderson, Tim Pirtz, and everyone at Sanderson Stewart for supporting trails and for your great work in our community and abroad!