About Montana Trails, Recreation & Park Assocation
Parks are iconic staples in community. Recreation brings community together. Trails connect community to nature for that much needed outdoor time. Parks and Recreation matter so much to our livelihood. Numerous studies have provided information linking improved mental/physical health, community involvement, and economic benefits with he presence of trails, recreation, and parks. Yet, funding and road blocks constantly threaten these important entities. We are on a mission to help Montana preserve and utilize our parks, trails, and recreation resources across the state while supporting the growth of our professional industry behind the scenes of these beloved areas and programs.
Support MTRPA
Your parks, your recreation, and your trails need your support! Our membership opportunity gives individuals, groups, organizations, and commercial businesses the chance to support their state’s parks and recreation association. By becoming a member of the Montana Trails Recreation and Parks Association, you are supporting mission.
Conferences
We hold an annual MTRPA Conference in the spring and a fall conference at Montana League of Cities and Towns inviting park and recreation entities and affiliates to learn, grow, and come together on current topics in the field. This provides education, networking, and community growth opportunities for professionals, businesses, and organizations across the state.
Legislative Platform
Your parks, your recreation, and your trails need your support! Our membership opportunity gives individuals, groups, organizations, and commercial businesses the chance to support their state’s parks and recreation association. By becoming a member of the Montana Trails Recreation and Parks Association, you are supporting mission.
Member of NRPA
The MTRPA represents our beautiful state of Montana as member of the National Recreation and Parks Association. Visit NRPA.org to learn more.
MTRPA Board of Directors
Our MTRPA Board of Directors are working hard towards our mission educating members and non members of the MTRPA with valuable resources to support our state’s recreation and parks.
President
Steve Herrig – Director
Great Falls Parks & Recreation Dept.
1700 River Dr N #1327
Great Falls, MT 59401
sherrig@greatfallsmt.net
President Elect
Ryan Applegate – Deputy Director of Program and Fiscal Services
Missoula Parks & Recreation Dept.
600 Cregg Lane
Missoula, MT ApplegateR@ci.missoula.mt.us
Past President
Maria Butts – Director
Whitefish Parks & Recreation Dept.
504 Central Ave
Whitefish, MT 59937
mbutts@cityofwhitefish.gov
Secretary
Jennie Bradford
Operations Specialist
Whitefish Parks & Recreation Dept.
504 Central Ave
Whitefish, MT 59937
jbradford@cityofwhitefish.gov
Treasurer
Carla Belski
Community Services Coordinator
Whitefish Parks & Recreation Dept.
504 Central Ave
Whitefish, MT 59937
cbelski@cityofwhitefish.gov
Membership
Katie Canter
Contracts and Sports Parks Coordinator
Bozeman Parks and Recreation Dept.
600 Bridger Drive
Bozeman, MT 59771
kcanter@bozeman.net
Advisory Team
Jodie Adams
National Recreation and Park Association
Past President/Board of Directors
jadams5557@me.com
Advisory Team
Kory Thompson
Recreation Superintendent
Billings Parks & Recreation Dept.
390 N 23rd St
Billings, MT 59101
thomsonk@billingsmt.gov
Advisory Team
Beth R. Shumate
Parks Division Administrator
1420 E. 6th Avenue
PO Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620
bshumate@mt.gov
Trails Representative
Bob Walker
Chair of the Board: American Trails
Chair of the Board: Montana Trails Coalition
Bob_mttrails@outlook.com
University Liaison
Elena Bigart, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Research Assistant Professor
University of Montana
Stone Hall 212 | 32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59801
elena.bigart@umontana.edu
Student Liaision
Ava Worbets
Student
University of Montana
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812
avaworbets@gmail.com
Urban Forestry Liaison
Patrick Plantenburg
Montana Urban & Community Forest Association
m2andp2@mt.net
Parks Liaison
Lincoln Lake
Associate Director – Developed Parks & Trails
Missoula Parks & Recreation Dept.
600 Cregg Lane
Missoula, MT
LakeL@ci.missoula.mt.us
Recreation Liaison
Mitch Lauenstein
Recreation Programmer
Whitefish Parks & Recreation Dept.
504 Central Ave
Whitefish, MT 59937
mlauenstein@cityofwhitefish.gov
Aquatics Liaison
Hannah Shepherd
Aquatics Program Manager
Missoula Parks & Recreation Dept.
600 Cregg Lane
Missoula, MT
shepherdh@ci.missoula.mt.us
Indigenous Lands Manager
New Position! Apply & share!
Want to get involved?
Sponsors, vendors, members, volunteers, and board members make our efforts possible.
