Helena Open Lands Major Projects 2021

The DeFord trail was built with stated purpose that it would be a trail used to help get bikes off of the Davis Gulch Rd. It is incredibly concerning to me that a consensus plan from multiple user groups would be rejected and disregarded by members of HOLMAC. This trail is used by me and my small children, along with many many other children and families precisely because of the safe and accessible nature of the trail. To push these users onto a road with blind corners and traffic is concerning, (especially considering that paving this road will only increase speed and traffic) and this being done in opposition to the consensus plan is completely unacceptable. I would like to note that after 4 years of walking and biking these trails with my children (and many before children), we have not once had a negative experience especially on this trail, with biking users. Helena has this amazing trail system accessible to so many levels and ages of riders. What a wonderful gem we have here, please continue to foster that access for ALL outdoor users because it is one of the things that makes Helena so special. Thank you for hearing our responses to this concern.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the Open Lands Plan. It is deeply concerning that members of HOLMAC would purposefully disregard the multiuse intent and classification of such an important piece of trail as the DeFord area. Helena holds as a treasure it's trail systems and access for all users and user groups. Nothing undermines that as significantly as a few committee members attempting to block use and create unsafe conditions for bicyclists.
The DeFord trail and its wide footprint and conditioned surface provide the best conditions for multiuse providing safe passing and mixing of users. Of the many Helenans from all age groups as well as visitors that use this trail, the children may suffer the most by blocking bicyclists on the Deford trail. All bikes including beginners and young people would be forced out onto Davis Gulch road with its limited sight lines, narrow footprint and ever increasing speeds which will only worsen if the road is paved as is proposed. Currently, Helena's IMBA team the Cyclones meet weekly at Shooting Range Trailhead. This is growing group of exceptional young people that have found an incredible team atmosphere to learn new skills, build relationships, and compete together that could be puts in harms way if forced into a roadway in order to get to practice.

Currently my family and others are able to enjoy the Deford Trail together; grandparents through the smallest grandchild on a balance bike. This is a priceless attribute to any place but especially in my home town on trails I have enjoyed my entire life.
Please do not entertain the idea of blocking bicycles on the DeFord Trail. Thank you for your consideration of what I believe is the wish and opinion of the majority of Helena's trail users who have had little to no conflict or problems sharing our trails.

One of Helena's greatest assets is the multi-use trail system and the public lands access we are afforded so close to downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. Many of us take these facilities for granted and trust the City to manage these assets in a manner that meets the needs and desires of the entire community. The recent actions of HOLMAC remind all of us that we cannot sit idly by and trust that a board which is unaccountable to the public will make sound decisions. We should also take this opportunity to remind the City that the taxpaying citizens of Helena own these resources through the open space bonds we approved, and the City is merely charged with overseeing their management. We also urge the City to remember that public decision making processes need to foster open communication, that the data being used is trustworthy and unbiased, and that final decisions are based on rational thought and what's in the best interest of the entire community - regardless of who stuffs the comment box or influences board members. Your duty extends beyond appeasing vocal special interests.

We stand with countless other community members who question the wisdom of limiting ANY mode of non-motorized travel on our trail system. In fact, HOLMAC's proposal to limit bicycle travel on an established trail with historic bicycle use is in gross conflict with the key approaches outlined by our community. The Open Lands Management Plan explicitly states the principle to "Ensure opportunities for all users to access [Helena's open lands]." The principle is also clearly supported in the approach to "Maintain current levels of trail access and look for opportunities to expand access - in sections of existing trails as well as in new trail construction."

For all the safety reasons stated in other comments, for the blatant disregard for adopted plans and policies, and for the inexplicable disregard for consensus plans developed in open public processes, we strongly urge the City to reject the HOLMAC proposal and maintain the historic multi-use trail access in the DeFord area.

Beyond the immediate issue, we also believe the City should review the membership of HOLMAC to ensure that those appointed members understand their mission and responsibility to the taxpayers of this community. If they do not understand their role, then the Commission needs to make appropriate changes that will better reflect the priorities of our entire community.

My family enjoys visiting Helena to bike the local trails. Bike tourism brings money to Helena as we eat dinner and often stay at a local hotel. I is unreasonable to block bikers from 2,000 feet of trail to force them onto a busy road. You are asking me to put my children in harms way for minimal gain. Helena is a fun hiking and biking destination and access to kid friendly trails is key. Please consider a plan that minimizes risk to bikers and children.

It is disappointing and astounding that there are members of this community that feel the need to exclude a paltry 2000 feet of trail from bikers, who would subsequently need to use a dirt road. This road is full of blind corners and puts increased risk of injury or worse in a biker vs. car/truck accident. The upper DeFord trail is used by many, including school age children so that they don't have to ride on a dusty, narrow road with swiftly moving cars. How individuals can propose such a situation is unconscionable. Please consider a plan that reduces unnecessary risk. If a user group would like exclusive use of a trail or system, then we need to build those trails, not prohibit a particular user group on an existing trail. Thank you.

I am extremely disappointed with HOLMAC's rejection of the consensus plan on the DeFord trail. The consensus plan was created with many user groups coming together to agree on needs for the DeFord trail. The HOLMAC group's rejection of the plan in favor of a plan submitted by dissenting members flies in the face of the process our city laid out and the voices of many members of our community. The DeFord trail was created to take bikes off of Davis Gulch. I am in favor of creating new limited use trails that are for walkers only, but not in removing access to exiting trails. Putting bikes back onto Davis Gulch is dangerous. Many bikers use DeFord as an uphill trail to get to the old archery range trailhead. Its easy grade also makes it a great trail for children. Removing bike access would have a huge impact and create dangerous situations; wholly inappropriate and unnecessary. Please reconsider the needs and voices of our citizens.

Making kids on bikes ride up and down Davis gulch road is absurd!
Whyte Propert is best if all trail users are welcome.

The recent proposal by Holmac on the south hills Davis gulch areas proposal to ban bikes from the Deford trail is unacceptable. The trail is used by adults and children as a SAFE route to get up and down the gulch. Moving bicycle traffic onto the gravel road will only provide a dangerous situation for children and adults. Davis Gulch road had blind corners and fast drivers. Any proposal to eliminate trail use by one specific group is unacceptable. We have a great system of OPEN lands in our multi use system and we need to keep it that way.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I am writing to let the Helena City Commission and Helena Parks and Rec Department know that I am in support of the consensus plan for the DeFord Trail. I am concerned, and I oppose the recent action by three HOLMAC members who want an alternative calling for a bike ban on this section of DeFord trail.

Displacing more bike users onto the road in this portion is not a good idea from a logistical and safety standpoint.
.I run, walk, bike in this area and do not like being on the road very much. Allen described it well below.

This trail was created specifically in 2001 to keep traffic and other users more separated. DeFord should continue to serve that role with the consensus plan to move forward in line with input received through the open lands process.

If the alternative was done more users here on road could create problems with traffic flow and could increase potential for bad situations. Public wellbeing, safety , and enhanced multi user experience is prioritized in consensus option and not the alternative!

The consensus plan was developed using input from multiple user groups. It better supports needs of all trail users than the alternative that seeks to cut access. The alternative supported by HOLMAC members, if successful, would ignore the process created to address multi user needs for this area and that is not okay. I strongly urge the City of Helena Commission and Parks and Rec to reject the Holmac members call for an alternative. It is not appropriate

The Whyte Property development is a significant achievement for expanding our open lands. I support the efforts to ensure that bikes have access to this great trail network and it is important to develop it as Allen shared to improve trail experiences for everyone. I urge decision makers in this matter not to be swayed by HOLMAC members seeking to restrict access or say that accessible trails mean no bikes. Any efforts to cut out bike access should not be considered because it’s not in line with the community values and outdoor access spirit Helena has. Our trail resources are amazing.

The majority of trail users share the trails without issue and are respectful to one another. I enjoy our trails because I get to interact with the community. I am a multi use trail user and I’ve had some of my best experiences in life sharing the trails with my family and friends in multiple roles like hiking, running , biking etc. The consensus plan best supports a diverse group changes and will grow. Helena already does great working together to share our resources and I know that people can continue to respectfully coexist and enjoy the trails.


Thank you for your consideration in this matter and accepting comments for inclusion into this process. Take care.

-Brian Norderud

Upper Deford Trail- get ride of idea of power for electric wheel chairs at Old Shooting Range. Everything from there goes up! Not appropriate for wheelchairs. too much $$$ for what?
Mt Helena ADA extention trail- Phase II - DROP!!! Inappropriate for open space "un-developed park", enforcement issues, trail grade, need for "rescue" concerns, etc. Find a better site and appropriate "substrate" for wheelchairs/ electric carts, (electric bikes???)...

The DeFord area is a main artery for the South Hills trail system. Providing reasonable options for all trail users should be the main goal. The road in this gulch is narrow, curvy, and busy this is a terrible place for people to travel be it on foot or bike.

The trail in this area is already quite wide and the bottom of the gulch provides ample space for a diverse set of trails to provide options for trail users.

If Brad Langsather's and Joel Peden's projects were combined it could be possible to provide options for most trail users. Using the available land to create multiple trails would spread the usage and allow for the different users to enjoy the space in their preferred way.

The Whyte property provides a great opportunity, but it is currently a spiderweb of community trails that creates confusion and does not provide a very good trail user experience. I would encourage the city to consider the climbing grade of the trails in this area to provide for an easy climb up the mountain.

In closing, I would encourage the city to approach these projects in a way that recognizes the diversity of trail users we have in Helena. As the city grows we will have more of this diversity, not less. It is the responsibility of all residents to recognize that we share this wonderful resource and the best way to protect it is to respect our fellow trail users.