Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trail
A restored waterway, a community corridor
The Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trail follows a waterway that was once one of the most heavily contaminated streams in the region.
Today, the trail runs alongside a creek that has been rebuilt through the Superfund process — reconnecting people to water, landscape, and history.
Why the Greenway exists
The Greenway Trail was envisioned as part of the long-term recovery of Silver Bow Creek.
As contaminated sediments were removed and the creek channel was reconstructed, an opportunity emerged to restore ecological function, create a safe public corridor, and connect communities along the creek.
The Greenway exists because of cleanup, not in spite of it.
A trail built in pieces
The Greenway Trail was never a simple, single construction project.
It crosses:
- multiple Operable Units
- different land ownerships
- rail corridors
- highways
- private property
- active remediation areas
As a result, the trail has been built in segments, as cleanup and access agreements allow.
About half of the trail is complete, with additional segments planned as conditions permit.
How people use the trail
Completed sections of the Greenway Trail are used for:
- walking
- biking
- running
- birding
- family outings
Many segments are paved and accessible, with trailheads and "depots" providing parking, maps, interpretive signage, and points of interest.
The trail is well-loved — even in its unfinished state.
Safety and design
The Greenway Trail is designed with safety in mind.
Design considerations include:
- separation from contaminated areas
- stabilization of stream banks
- controlled access points
- ongoing monitoring
Trail placement and design are coordinated with cleanup teams to ensure that recreation does not increase exposure or interfere with remediation.
Ecological recovery along the corridor
The reconstructed Silver Bow Creek now supports:
- native vegetation
- aquatic habitat
- birds and wildlife
- improved water quality
Floodplains have been rebuilt to reduce erosion, manage high flows, and support healthy stream function.
The Greenway allows people to see ecological recovery firsthand.
Who manages and maintains the trail?
The Greenway Trail is managed through cooperation among local governments, state agencies, and Superfund responsible parties.
Long-term maintenance and operations are funded as part of the Superfund cleanup, ensuring that the trail remains safe and functional over time.
Looking ahead
As cleanup continues, additional segments of the Greenway Trail are expected to be completed.
Progress depends on remediation schedules, land access, funding, and coordination across jurisdictions.
The trail's evolution mirrors the cleanup itself — incremental, careful, and durable.
How the Greenway fits into the bigger picture
The Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trail is:
- a recreational asset
- an educational corridor
- a sign of environmental recovery
- a reminder of long-term stewardship
It shows how cleanup and community life can move forward together.