As recent graduates of the Leadership Billings program, these community members decided to take on the project of improving and advocating for public access and use of the Yellowstone River Greenway in Billings.

Because the Yellowstone is undammed, the flooding and shifting of the river channels makes built infrastructure a challenge. The newly-formed YRPA, however, embraced this reality as a positive, committing itself to habitat preservation and just enough amenities (benches, trails, trailhead picnic shelters) to encourage enjoyment and exploration of the beauty of the river system.

In 1991, a small group of energetic community members had an idea…

YRPA Mission and Vision

The YRPA MISSION is to support access and use along the Yellowstone River by improving parks and trails.

The YRPA VISION is for a series of protected and/or restored natural areas, with connecting pedestrian trails between, that provide opportunities for low-impact recreation along the Yellowstone River corridor.

YRPA Board and Staff

  • Carolyn Sevier

    Executive Director

  • Bob Mackin

    President

  • Gene Wade, Vice President

    Vice President

  • Jill Hickson

    Secretary

  • Steve Varela

    Treasurer

  • Dr. Susan Gilbertz

    Board Member

  • Boris Krizek

    Board Member

  • Bob Wilson

    Board Member

  • Anna Wilson

    Board Member

  • Terry Steiner

    Board Member

  • Kris Schmidt

    Board Member

  • Jim Bauer

    Board Member

We stand on the shoulders of giants

“These projects don’t just happen. YRPA’s luck has been favorable because we do things.”
— Earl Guss, YRPA Founder

The success of our parks and trails work in Billings is fully the legacy the people involved. Our early vision was set by Earl Guss, Cal Cumin, Gary Buchanan, Jean Smith, Norm Schoenthal, Terry Zee Lee, and those on the first boards of directors, and has continued through the years with equal dedication by dozens of leaders, volunteers, board members, and supporters. For all of our archived newsletters, look for the link on our archive page. Thank you, all.

YRPA Past Presidents

Earl Guss: 1991 - 1995

Noreen Burris: 1996-1999

Paige Spalding: 2000-2003

John Spencer: 2004-2007

Earl Guss: 2008-2009

Mary Walter: 2010-2011

Roger Williams: 2012-2013

Darryl Wilson: 2014-2021

Bob Mackin: 2022 - present

Three founders of YRPA honored with a custom kite by Ron Bohart as part of the “Go With the Flow” kite exhibit organized by Terry Zee Lee. Read more here.