Scobey City Leaders Aim To Add Trail Network In Community

Leaders for the City of Scobey are aiming to improve recreational opportunities by making a significant addition in the community with the establishment of a trail network throughout many parts of Scobey.

Scobey Mayor Morgan Lekvold explained that the idea of a walking trail started when school officials inquired about creating a safe path from the school’s property to the football field.

After some investigating, city officials found that Columbus accomplished such a project by building a five-year project by using grant funding from the state. Great West Engineering served as the engineering firm for Columbus, and now Scobey is also having Great West lead the proposed project.

Lekvold said some local biking groups and running groups have expressed their support for the trail in Scobey.

“We’re hoping to involve the whole community,” Lekvold said. “It should benefit the entire town.”

Lekvold, who is the father of four younger-aged children, feels it would be beneficial for all ages.

“We’re excited about it,” Lekvold said of the plans.

The project will be divided into five phases. Each phases will take about two years to complete because the mayor explains the state grant cycles occur every other year. Each phase will cost between about $150,000$300,000. The goal is to have grant funding pay for the great majority of the expenses.

“We’re on day one of a 10-year cycle,” Lekvold said of the process.

He noted that the city now has enough information in order to apply for the state grants.

“I’m cautiously optimistic we will get grants for the phases,” Lekvold said.

The planned phases will include: Phase 1: The trail begins at Scobey School, heading northeast on Second Avenue E along the south side as a concrete sidewalk through C Street. After C Street, the concrete sidewalk turns to a gravel trail and continues up Plainsman Field Road along the eastern side, crosses Highway 5, and eventually turns right on Chapman Road into Plainsman Field. At the crossing of Highway 5, officials will implement a crosswalk.

Phase 2: Phase 2 is entirely a gravel trail. It begins heading west at the intersection of the old railroad and Plainsman Field Road. The trail would run along the south side of the railroad until reaching Robinson Stoie Street. At this point, it would cross north due to the backyards on the southside of the railroad. After crossing to the north side of the railroad, the gravel path would continue to follow the railroad until reaching N. Main St. The trail would turn north again and then cross N. Main Street. At this crossing, officials would include a crosswalk. Heading west along the southside of Ball Park Road, the trail would eventually reach the entrance to the baseball fields. This route gives access to the baseball fields while staying out of all the fieldwork. After the entrance to the baseball fields, the gravel trail would continue heading west along the southside of Ball Park Road until eventually intersecting the gravel trail along Golf Course Road.

Phase 3: Phase 3 is entirely a gravel trail. The trail along Ball Park Road would intersect with the Phase 3 trail spanning from the golf course up just past Highway 248. Running north of Third Avenue W., the gravel trail can run along the eastern side, crossing Highway 248 and turning left on Scobey Airport Road into the field. A crosswalk would be implemented to cross Highway 248. Running south of Third Avenue, the trail would cross Golf Course Road with a crosswalk and travel along the western side of the road. This path looks better as the eastern side looks to be a ditch and the western side is much flatter. This section of the trail would run south to the fork in the road at the golf course, and continue down the western fork a little bit.

Phase 4: A concrete sidewalk would be implemented to the north side of Third Avenue W heading east off of the gravel trail at the intersection of Third Avenue W and Golf Course Road. This sidewalk would connect to the existing sidewalk just east of the intersection. A gravel trail would then head south at the intersection of Third Avenue W and the street between Second Street and Mill Street. A gravel trail heading south fits the area the best as it is an existing alleyway. This would continue all the way to Main Street at the south end of the city. Crosswalks would be implemented where this phase intersects Third Avenue W and Fourth Avenue W heading south.

Phase 5: Phase 5 would connect Phase 1 and Phase 4 as both a gravel trail and concrete sidewalk. The trail would begin as gravel running south down C Street on the western side eventually turning west onto Sixth Avenue. After turning west onto Sixth Avenue, the gravel trail would continue on the north side until the first alleyway. After the alleyway, it would turn into a paved sidewalk. This is because the corner of C Street and Sixth Avenue is a big gravel lot. But after the alleyway, the gravel trail would turn back into a concrete side- walk heading west and running along the north side of Smith Avenue. There is some existing sidewalk toward Timmons Street. This concrete sidewalk would continue south down Timmons Street on the western side taking a bend toward Main Street. There is a section of painted trail lines instead of a sidewalk or gravel trail because of the flat paved parking layout. This would turn back into sidewalk once reaching Main Street and then turn up Main Street on the eastern side. A crosswalk would be implemented to connect Phase 5 to Phase 4 over Main Street S.