06/10/2026
The City of Helena will begin work this week on three projects within the city’s Open Lands system aimed at improving trail connectivity, enhancing recreational opportunities, and supporting forest health.
🌿Oakes Street Park Trail Reroute
City Open Lands staff began construction of a reroute of the Oakes Street Park Trail today. The existing trail will remain open until the new trail is complete, then the old trail will be decommissioned. Users may see impacts along the Virginia Dale Street Walkway and the South Oakes Connector Trail during construction activities. This project is expected to take about a week to complete.
🥾 Northwest Passage–Ambrose Connector Trail
Construction will also begin on a new connector trail linking the Northwest Passage Trail and the Ambrose Trail in Mount Helena Natural Park. No impacts to users of either the Ambrose Trail or Northwest Passage Trail are anticipated during construction. This project is expected to take about a week to complete.
🌲Mount Ascension Forestry Operations
Contract crews will begin tree felling, pruning, and slash-piling operations on the north face of Mount Ascension. Work will take place along portions of the Aftershock, 2006, Entertainment, and Mount Ascension Loop trails.
To help ensure public safety, Open Lands staff will install warning signs along affected trail segments to alert recreational users to ongoing forestry activities. Trail closures are not anticipated at this time. This project is expected to take 2-3 weeks to complete.
