CELEBRATING TRAILS AND HEALTH IN DEER LODGE, MONTANA
Montana Prescription Trails (Rx Trails) is a program designed to give healthcare professionals tools to promote physical activity on community trails. The Prescription Trails program has a long history with BikeWalk Montana and was presented around the state in rural communities as part of the Building Active Communities Initiative (BACI).The Montana Prescription Trails program was implemented in Deer Lodge this year, with a kick-off celebration of health at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in June of 2022. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site has 10.5 miles of trails for walking/running or rolling, built for your enjoyment.
BWMT member Laurie Duncan, worked for years to build partnerships and support while developing the Rx Trails program for Deer Lodge Medical Center. Under Laurie’s leadership, the medical community created cooperative and supportive agreements to improve access to trails in and around the community and are now implementing the Montana Trails Rx in their clinic. Some Clinic providers are now writing walking prescriptions for appropriate patients and are developing the program structure for long term sustainability.
Deer Lodge Medical Center’s (DLMC) prescription (Rx) walking program provides an array of local trail maps for people to use:
The ADA compliant Deer Lodge Community Playground located on the DLMC campus is a convenient location for all who live, work or play at or near DLMC. It’s a great stop for a stretch and walk, while traveling within or across Montana.
For Rx Trail users, an easy walking trail/park is situated at Deer Lodge’s south end, Arrowstone Park. The Park offers 2.8 miles of asphalt paved trails along the Clark Fork River. The County is working to install .10 mile markers along the route.
An improved gravel surface walking/rolling route, the Old Yellowstone Trail, is nearly 11 miles, connecting Deer Lodge City to Garrison! The Old Yellowstone Trail is a segment of the Great American Rail Trail Route.
So, head on over to Deer Lodge valley and check out the beautiful views while enjoying the many opportunities Laurie Duncan, the Deer Lodge Medical Center and their partners have been working on to keep you active and healthy!