HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-02 Ben Alexander TOP Support Ltr Front StJanuary 2, 2020
Ben Alexander
2251 Powder Park Ct
Bozeman, MT 59715
To: City of Bozeman’s Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOP) selection committee
Re: TOP funding for the Front Street Connector Trail project
I am writing this letter to encourage and strongly support the City of Bozeman’s Trails,
Open Space and Parks program to fund the Front Street Connector Trail project before
funding any new projects.
My wife and I live on the north side of Bozeman with our two young girls. We regularly
use the trails here to get to school and work, our public library, shop for groceries, and
run errands. We also routinely struggle with safe passage at busy intersections and in
places where current trails or pathways simply end or fail to provide connections that
allow us safely to reach our destinations.
Since the City first approved funds for the Front Street Connector Trail project in 2015,
we have seen explosive growth on the north side of town, new trail connections such as
the Oak Connector and M Pathway which have triggered significant new trial and
pathway use, and anticipated completion of Rouse improvements this summer. All of
these developments have created more hazards for walkers, runners, cyclists and all
non-automobile travelers trying to move through the Wallace, Oak and Rouse areas.
TOP funding is a critical component to completing the long-planned and
more-important-than-ever Front Street Connector Trail. This project is a north side
linchpin. It will provide a crucial east-west trail connection and allow more people to use
and safely enjoy our Main Street to the Mountains system as Wallace, Oak and Rouse get
busier and more intimidating for a growing number of Bozeman trail and pathway users.
The Front Street Connector Trail project is a timely, valuable and worthwhile connection
for all Bozeman residents. I request that the City of Bozeman’s Trails, Open Space and
Parks selection committee fund this longstanding project before funding any new projects
and at a level that would allow the project to be completed this coming summer. Thank
you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ben Alexander