Jocko Valley trails preparation begins

ARLEE - The Jocko Valley Trails Committee will be pairing up with five University of Michigan graduate students starting May 10 to begin planning and designing a trail system in the Jocko Valley.

The students, from Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment, have a year-long commitment to the project, Mary Stranahan said at an April 20 Arlee Community Development Corporation meeting.

"These are smart kids, and they're go-getters, and they're going to be a real gift to this community," said Stranahan.

After visiting Arlee to collect data and gather community input, the students will return to Michigan on May 27, where they will develop three different solutions addressing how to get pedestrians across the Jocko River, which runs parallel to U.S. Highway 93. In September, the students will return to implement a plan.

The graduate students will stay at Heart View center in Arlee as they meet with local groups involved in the trail project and conduct focus groups.

On a University of Michigan Website that outlines their plans, the students said they aim to create a trail system that will "promote healthy outdoor activities, increase appreciation of the natural world, decrease dependence on automobile transportation and, most importantly, increase safety and quality of life for residents." The students propose that health benefits from the trails, which will provide a safe place to exercise, could provide a means to combat a high rate of diabetes on the Flathead Reservation, as well as tourist revenue to Arlee.

"They're going to be working with classes, giving cameras to kids and asking, ‘where would you be if you were outside?,' having focus groups, plus solving some landscaping and general engineering problems that we've had," said Stranahan.

The Montana Community Development Corporation has been awarded $150,000 from the Lake County Commissioners to go toward the path system around Arlee High School. The funds will cover curriculum development around bicycle and pedestrian safety, said Stranahan.

A national park service grant of $30,000 will provide funding for a path along Oxford Lane down to the restoration area, said Stranahan.

"[The path] will parallel that lane as closely as possible so we're not infringing on the fisheries," said Stranahan.

The University of Michigan students will also work on some signs for the path.

A Jocko Valley Community Trails open house will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 24 at Arlee High School. Student artwork from workshops on trail development will be displayed and the open house is an opportunity for community members to voice input, said Deb Little Starratt.

The Community Development Corporation also discussed the Jocko Valley farmer's markets, which will act as a fundraiser for the corporation. The first one is at 4 p.m on May 21.

"There are many people in the community who totally support farmer's markets," said Starratt "We do have people wanting tables for the whole summer, so I feel pretty positive."

Starratt said the sophomore English classes of Arlee High School created 15 public service announcements for the farmer's market, and she is now pushing for the announcements to get radio play.

"With high school kids, it's sometimes hard to know whether they think things are a good idea or whether you're forcing them into something and so I asked them if they thought the farmer's market was a good idea or maybe I should just scrap it, and they were all ‘yes, yes do a farmer's market!' so that made me feel much better," said Starratt. "I really think it's going to be a good community event."

Ronan will host a farmer's market in conjunction with the fair, and Starratt said participants would like to see a regular market in the future.

"It's kind of exciting to work with other markets and be collaborative and not necessarily competitive," Starratt said.