This year, Billings TrailNet is raising money to build a few important trails that will not be built without private funding.

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The first to be built is a trail that will connect the existing Heritage Trail System in Swords Rimrock Park to the new Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site.

 

Billings TrailNet is committing to raise at least $11,500, but hopes to raise the entire $23,000 by March 1, 2017. To date, members have given more than $3,500, including a large donation from Garry and Kathy Brayco, owners of Archie Cochrane Ford!

 

When the interpretive site is completed later this spring it will occupy the highest point on the rims overlooking Billings and the Yellowstone Valley.

 

The point was named “Kelly Mountain” when Kelly was buried there in June 1929 in accordance with Kelly’s agreement with the Montana Historical Society and the Billings Commercial Club, the predecessor of the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

yellowstone-kellyLuther Sage “Yellowstone” Kelly was a veteran of three wars, a famous Montana frontiersman and military scout, and a friend of Teddy Roosevelt and General Nelson Miles. In 1959 Warner Brothers made a movie about Kelly titled, not surprisingly, “Yellowstone Kelly.” The area is being revitalized by the Billings Chamber of Commerce under the chairmanship of Bill Cole to better connect our community to its history and provide more recreational amenities for residents and visitors.
More than 170,000 people visit Swords Rimrock Park each year, but, unfortunately, there is no path that connects the Heritage Trail with the Kelly gravesite. The existing trail is tantalizingly close (about 35 yards away), but a steep embankment makes a direct connection impossible. Therefore the plan is to build a trail with a gentle slope that will connect to the Heritage Trail about 250 yards to the west. The new trail will be made of crushed stone. The connecting trail is estimated to cost $23,000, but none of the funds that have been raised for the interpretive site are available for its construction.
Rough grading and other preparation work has already begun at the site, and a grand opening celebration is slated for the middle of June 2017. It is critical that we raise the funds for the trail connection while the graders and other heavy equipment are still on site. Otherwise the cost will go up, perhaps substantially.
For more information on the overall project you can visit www.YellowstoneKelly.org or contact Bill Cole 406-294-5700.

 

You can donate easily and securely from your mobile phone by texting the words “Give yktrail” to the dedicated number, 406-204-2719, or by using this secure online form.

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