Benches Installed Along Hamilton's RAL Trail
by Michelle McConnaha
August 1, 2024 | Ravalli Republic
Morgan Bisel’s Helping Hands has expanded community service projects to include adding benches along the Robert Anthony Leonardi Trail.
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Previously Morgan Bisel’s Helping Hands just focused on collecting warm clothing and food for people in need, but when she was contacted by community members to put benches on the Robert Anthony Leonardi (RAL) Trail, she stepped up.
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Morgan Bisel said the need for benches was brought to her attention by family friends and a few other senior citizens who know her. She said upgrades were made possible thanks to grants from FFA, donations from the community, the Stock Farm, Pioneer Log Homes and Specialty Excavation.
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“Stu Polhamus initially proposed this idea because he and his wife often walk the Robert Anthony Leonardi Trail,” Bisel said. “They noticed that they and a few others were having trouble walking up the big hill in the middle and catching their breath. He asked if we knew who could install benches.”
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The RAL trail is a community walking path dedicated in memory of 9-year-old Robert Anthony Leonardi, who lost his life in a hit-and-run crash on Hamilton’s Golf Course Road in July 2019.
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Morgan Bisel, Alyce Leonardi and Hayden Bisel sit on the bench built by Pioneer Log Homes and installed by Specialty Excavation at the entrance to the RAL Trail on Big Corral Road in Hamilton. Jeremy Spencer, Greg Dowdy, Darrin Heitmann, Kevin Bisel, Ilona Bessenyey, Stu Polhamus and Doug Howard stand behind.
When Bisel realized the need for benches on the trail she went to work. “Because I know Mr. and Mrs. Leonardi, and my brother and I used to go to school with Robert, I talked to Mr. Leonardi and he put me in touch with Peter Van Tuyn at the Stock Farm,” Bisel said. “I got permission to put benches on the trail which is part of his land at the Stock Farm.”
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Morgan Bisel’s Helping Hands purchased one smaller custom bench for installation at the switchback on the steep hill. Bisel used grant money from the National FFA and Montana FFA for her Morgan Bisel’s Helping Hands project which is also her Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE). Then Pioneer Log Homes built and donated three big benches for installation at each of the entry points along the trail.
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“My younger brother, Hayden, stained the benches for me while I was at work,” she said. “He is getting more involved in community service. He knew Robert and he has a huge heart.” Bisel describes the benches as “huge” and beyond her ability to install. “Pioneer Log Homes owners Darrin and Barbara Heitmann donated the benches that are made out of 36-inch timbers and weigh 800 to 1,000 pounds,” Bisel said. “This was a huge blessing because at the entrances people will be able to change into their running shoes and sit down if they need a rest after they have climbed that beast.”​
Hayden and Morgan Bisel sit on the smaller custom bench installed on the curve near the top of the hill on the RAL trail. Morgan installed the benches with plaques that say, “In loving memory of Robert Anthony Leonardi, June 6, 2010 – July 7, 2019.”
Ilona Bessenyey and Alyce Leonardi sit on the newly installed bench at the north entrance of the RAL trail in Hamilton.
Darrin Heitmann said Pioneer Log Homes stepped in because the benches would provide rest and reprieve for community members exercising on the trail constructed in Robert Leonardi’s name. “We chose to accept this project because we remember the tragic day that Robert was taken away with intense clarity,” he said. “Our home is near the Hamilton Golf Course and on my way home that day I topped the hill just above Big Corral Road to clearly see the police and emergency services lights flashing through my windshield. My heart sank and was left to wonder what had occurred as I drove on to my home.” Heitman said the accident was a “senseless act and the consequences caused by one very disturbed individual.”
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“Robert was just a child and loved by so many,” Heitmann said. “While we did not know him personally, we do know young children who were close friends and parents who knew him. For his parents, family and friends, there is nothing on this earth that will replace the joy he brought in so many ways. Perhaps we can all keep the spirit of Robert as a living memory of the way he lived through play.”
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He said the contribution from Pioneer has meaning. “As for our contribution, a time for rest and reprieve while on the trail constructed in Robert’s name is a small token that we hope will remind us all to stop and ‘Play Like Robert,’” Heitmann said. “Even, for some of us, if it's only in our mind while resting on an old wooden bench.”
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Bisel said the size of the benches led to problem-solving and further connections. “Just as we were wondering how to transport them to the RAL trail, Darrin contacted Greg Dowdy at Specialty Excavating,” she said. “Greg said he would donate the use of his equipment and gravel to set up places for the benches.”
Specialty Excavating cleared bench locations, put gravel down and, on Wednesday, lifted the benches into place.
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Greg Dowdy, Owner of Specialty Excavating Inc., said they were delighted to help the process. Forklift operator Jeremy Spencer, of Specialty Excavation, lifts a large bench built and donated by Pioneer Log Homes to its new home on the RAL Trail in Hamilton. “Our involvement was to provide labor, equipment and gravel for the construction of three separate flat gravel areas for the benches to be installed, and also the lifting and setting of the benches with our equipment,” Dowdy said. “We like to give back to the community especially for a good cause such as this.”
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Bisel called the donations a “huge blessing.“ “I really think this is God’s work in our community,” Bisel said. “It is amazing how generous these people are. Honestly, it is an inspiration to me to see how many people want to get involved in serving others. I think it is awesome.”​
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She installed the benches with plaques that say, “In loving memory of Robert Anthony Leonardi, June 6, 2010 – July 7, 2019.” Landowner Ilona Bessenyey, wife of Peter Van Tuyn, said the benches are a great addition to the RAL trail. “Oh, my golly, they are incredible,” she said. “They are amazing and are really a perfect addition.” Bessenyey said there are spruce and aspen trees also planted at each entrance to create restful, shady areas for community members to enjoy.
Alyce Leonardi, Robert’s mother, said the upgrades have meaning. “We are so thankful for these beautiful benches,” she said. “They will make a great addition to the RAL trail. We are so lucky to be a part of a community that continues to support us by remembering Robert.”
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The RAL trail will be used during the “Robert’s Run,” 7 to 11 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 3.