Yellowstone County Commissioners have been a corporate member of BikeNet for two years, and Jim Reno is one of their strongest advocates for the trails.

 

Jim may hold the busy post of County Commissioner, but he still takes time to use Billings’ urban trails, and believes Billings has a trail system unique to any other. “We have the best of two great geographical attributes,” Jim states; “the river and the rims. Most towns would kill to have the longest free-flowing river going through their community.”

 

In order to support our wonderful trail system and allow the maximum number Billings residents access to the natural beauty surrounding us, Jim and his two fellow county commissioners decided to join BikeNet as corporate members.

 

Jim believes that communities should support recreational amenities. “Where you put your trails is important,” he explains. Having easy access to trails and parks for residents and visitors enhances our quality of life and brings more business to Billings when people stay just a little bit longer to enjoy the natural landscape.

 

Trails also attract professionals who are considering relocating. Before moving to a new community, “the first thing they do is to scout the area. You can fly in to Billings Logan Airport, drive down by the college, see the Yellowstone Art Museum, the Alberta Bair Theater, spend an evening downtown and then stroll on the rims the next morning,” he explains. “It’s a salient point that all of the cultural communities must embrace.”

 

As a County Commissioner, Jim thinks a lot about the future of Billings. In its future, he sees trails as a central part of everyday life. As one major part of this vision, Jim is concerned about getting people over the interstate by foot or bicycle. While retrofits on Garden Ave. have now made it possible to cross the interstate, it is limited and Jim believes crossing the interstate is still a major concern for people trying to get around Billings without a car.

 

Jim would also like to see families be able to ride from the West End to Metra Park. “When they want to see a Disney show it would be a great family outing to ride there.” Jim would like developers to realize the return on investment that trails bring. “It increases their property values and makes them more attractive,” he says.

 

His long-term vision is to have a trail from Park City to Pompey’s Pillar along the river. “Pompey’s is the only remaining evidence that the Lewis and Clark expedition took place.”

 

As a former trail runner and current trail walker, the County Commissioner looks for the areas “where you take your grandkids or your dog. You put your trails in those areas. In between those two confines is your residential and business community.” As for his favorite trail companion, “my dog, she goes nuts.”

 

We appreciate our county government for recognizing the importance of, and supporting our trail system.  BikeNet is grateful to the Yellowstone County Commissioners and all of our corporate members for their support of the trails.  It’s easy and rewarding to become a BikeNet corporate member!  Click here for more information.