Whitefish Legacy Partners in the News: Summer 2025

A view of Smith Lake in summer 2025

This summer has been very busy for WLP and we want to get you up to speed!

Smith Lake Swift Creek Legacy

“After so many years, we believed we had another big win for the city of Whitefish, the Whitefish Trail and permanent public access, and Montana schools" said WLP Executive Director Heidi Van Everen. Unfortunately, recent developments in the negotiations to permanently protect the land around Smith Lake and Swift Creek have put the project on pause. Click below to read about the difficulties in WLP's fight to protect 615 acres at the head of Whitefish Lake.

• The Costly Quest to Save Smith Lake - Flathead Beacon

• Increased Price puts Smith Lake Conservation Plan in Jeopardy - Whitefish Pilot

Whitefish Trail Hootenanny

The Whitefish Trail Hootenanny is this Friday, 8/22, from 5:00pm to 9:30pm in Depot Park. “This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, and we’re thrilled to celebrate with our community that makes it all possible,” said Nathan Tuebner, Whitefish Legacy Partners Program Manager. “The Hootenanny is our way of bringing the community together at the end of summer to celebrate the Whitefish Trail and our local conservation lands. It combines music, community and fundraising for a great cause.” Click below to learn more about the Hootenanny, including the prizes in the amazing raffle and all the planned family-friendly activities.

• Whitefish Trail Hootenanny Scheduled for August 22 - Whitefish Pilot

New Whitefish Trail to Be Built in Fall 2025: The Rainbow Connection

In an 8/20 article, the Whitefish Pilot noted that "A tucked away gem north of Whitefish, Murray Lake’s teal surface will soon glimmer from a new single-track trail like a true end-of-the rainbow destination.  Whitefish Legacy Partners, the nonprofit that manages the Whitefish Trail, is taking bids from trail builders to complete about 1.5 miles of trail connecting Murray Lake to Rainbow Lake in the Beaver Lakes area.  The work is proposed to start mid-September with an end-of-October completion." Click below to learn more about the effort to fundraise for and build the Rainbow Connection.

• We Need Your Help to Build the Next Miles of the Whitefish Trail: The Rainbow Connection - WLP Blog Post

• Legacy Partners to Build new Whitefish Trail Section By Murray Lake - Whitefish Pilot