At this point in time there are various potential configurations of the trail. A community planning committee has been chartered to locate and design the trail with public input. The result of this process will be the development of a Whitefish Lake Trail Master Plan, followed by trail right-of-way acquisition, construction, and a long-term management strategy.

The recreation loop trail was initially proposed by the Whitefish Trust Lands Advisory Committee in late 2004 as part of the Whitefish State Trust Lands Neighborhood Plan. The Neighborhood Plan is a land-use plan for the 13,000-plus acres of state lands surrounding the community of Whitefish. Initiated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), the goal of the land-use plan is to increase revenue for the beneficiaries of school trust lands while maintaining the economic, environmental, and cultural vitality of Whitefish and the surrounding area.

The neighborhood plan, which emphasizes conservation of open lands, working forests, environmental and recreational values, was adopted by the State Land Board. Now, implementation needs to begin.

For this process to get underway, the City of Whitefish and Flathead Gateway Partners (the Partnership) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the trail system and the creation of the community planning committee. The community planning committee has been selected, as well as a Trail Project Team, and meetings commenced in January. 

A draft Master Plan Development Scope of Action has been developed and will be used as a guide for future proceedings. The public is encouraged to participate in the project.