Representatives of the Play Like Robert Foundation and partner agencies presented a proposed Phase 3 expansion of the Hamilton rail trail to the Ravalli County Board of Commissioners on June 26 and requested direction to pursue stakeholder outreach, engineering homework and reviews of potential airport and right‑of‑way constraints.

The foundation’s presentation described three linked phases: Phase 1 (a 0.75‑mile connection from the trailhead to Daly Elementary funded largely by a Transportation Alternatives award and local match), Phase 2 (a one‑mile Marcus Street connection funded by a 2023 TA award) and a conceptual Phase 3 that would extend east along Golf Course Road and then north across a 60‑foot strip of county property to connect to the existing trailhead near Tammany.

Phil, a project presenter, described the Phase 3 concept as a buffered, 8–10 foot gravel path in the existing 100‑foot right‑of‑way with a widened 60‑foot field strip across county property. "Within the 100 foot right of way that already exists, there's sufficient space to build a 10 foot path... a gravel path is what we're intending with the possibility of... crusher fines as the top surface," he said. The foundation said Phase 3 could be built with a mix of foundation funds and a future Transportation Alternatives grant if awarded.

County commissioners and staff flagged several issues they wanted the foundation to check before moving ahead with public meetings: compliance with airport grant assurances and the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), potential impacts to agricultural leases, utility and ditch crossings along Tammany and Golf Course Road, and neighbor acceptance of route options that would cross or border private yards. Commissioner Greg (on the record) asked the foundation to consult the county’s airport engineer, Lance Bowser, and said the FAA's guidance would determine whether spectator amenities or park-style features would be allowed on airport approach/departure surfaces.

Peter Van, representing the Bitterroot Stock Farm, and other nearby property owners described their experience with the existing trail and told commissioners that the current trail has drawn widespread public use with few problems. "Our experience has been quite positive... we've really had no problems," Peter Van said, adding that volunteers and neighborhood stewardship have helped maintain the corridor.

The foundation asked the board for permission to proceed with targeted stakeholder outreach (including Road & Bridge, the ag lessee, airport staff and neighborhood meetings) and to return in the fall with a refined plan. Commissioners directed the foundation to contact the airport engineer and FAA contacts and to do stakeholder outreach before a broader public meeting. No easement or binding county action was taken at that meeting; the board did not grant an easement but agreed to the proposed next steps if FAA and airport-plan reviews show no unresolvable conflicts.

The presenters said the Play Like Robert Foundation currently holds pledged matching funds for Phases 1 and 2 (about $315,000 for Phase 1 match) and that the foundation believes it could cover Phase 3 costs if needed; however, they emphasized that many details — including whether a formal county access easement would be required — would be explored with county attorneys and airport staff as part of homework and outreach.