Whitefish Legacy Partners celebrates grand opening of Whitefish Legacy Center
Whitefish Pilot | Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 4 months AGO
Hikers walk to the top of the new Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday, Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Located on 35 acres in the Beaver Lakes area northwest of Whitefish, the Whitefish Legacy Center will be the Legacy Partners’ new headquarters, a community gathering space and a home to outdoor education. The grand opening of the new headquarters of the Whitefish Trail, the Whitefish Legacy Center, is July 15.
The Legacy Center reflects the nonprofit's commitment to conservation, recreation and education all in one special place as they continue to work towards building and preserving the 55-mile trail system with 15 trailheads encircling Whitefish Lake.
The property, formerly the Whitefish Bike Retreat, was acquired by the Legacy Partners in December 2025. According to Legacy Partners, the purchase prevented the development of over 90 cabins and homes.
The Legacy Center is designed to be a hub for recreation and trail access, youth education and adult community programs, volunteer projects and stewardship, conservation initiatives, and community gatherings.
"The Legacy Center is so much more than just a property." said Heidi Van Everen, executive director of Legacy Partners. "It’s a place for people to gather and enjoy, six miles from town on the Whitefish Trail. It’s places like the Legacy Center that make our community so special. We are so happy to be rooted here."
Whitefish Legacy Partners invites the community to attend the Whitefish Legacy Center grand opening celebration on Wednesday, July 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free public event will feature a barbecue and refreshments at the Welcome Center.
Staff will lead tours throughout the celebration. They will share Legacy Partners’ vision for the Legacy Center in upcoming years.
"We've been inspired by overwhelming support from donors, volunteers, partners and community members over the years," said Van Everen. "This celebration is our way of saying thank you and officially invites the community to join us here."
The Legacy Center will be open to the public starting July 15, providing access to the Legacy Center including trails, a pump track, a skills park, a new picnic park with parking and access to the Whitefish Trail.
The Legacy Center Welcome Center will be open Wednesdays 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 1-6 p.m., July 15 – Sept. 30 and is located at 855 Beaver Lake Rd. in Whitefish.
For more information, visit Whitefish Legacy Partners at whitefishlegacy.org or email [email protected].