HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-24 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - Public Comment for 05_22_24 Transportation Board Meeting_ Fowler Avenue ConnectionFrom:Angela Kociolek
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Terry Cunningham; Jennifer Madgic; Douglas Fischer; Joey Morrison; Nicholas Ross; Mitchell Overton
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment for 05/22/24 Transportation Board Meeting: Fowler Avenue Connection
Date:Tuesday, May 21, 2024 12:49:49 PM
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Hello,
I’d like my comment to be sent to the Transportation Advisory Board in time for their
5/22/24 meeting.
I request a copy also be sent to the Urban Parks & Forestry Board and Sustainability
Board as the topic of this comment falls within the purviews of all three boards.
Thank you!
Angie Kociolek
PUBLIC COMMENT
May 21, 2024
Dear Transportation Advisory Board (cc: Urban Parks & Forestry Advisory Board,
Sustainability Advisory Board, City Commission, Director of Transportation, and Parks &
Recreation Director),
Greetings!
I write to you today with a good, just-went-for-a-run feeling. As a runner and a birder, I
thoroughly enjoy running from home to the unpaved trail system at Story Mill Community
Park. I do not own a dog, so I typically run through bird sanctuary.
Today, in a span of less than a minute, I saw or heard a Hairy Woodpecker, House Finch,
American Goldfinch, Great Blue Heron, Lazuli Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree
Swallow, and white-tailed deer. I admire and am so grateful for the forward-thinking
people who delineated this bird sanctuary adjacent to the active transportation system.
Kudos to Trust for Public Land, City of Bozeman Parks Department, Sacajawea Audubon
Society, (voters of the Trails, Open Space and Parks bond fund) and others!
I would like to see this bird sanctuary model replicated in other high value habitats in the
path of new developments. The Fowler Avenue Connection project is one. I respectfully
submit that the design team explore and prioritize not only protecting as many trees as
possible but elevate their value as habitat – especially for birds which the City has
named as being compatible with our Growth Plan 2020.
Certainly, placement of this natural resource amenity (likely between Oak and Durston)
will be important. Just as in Story Mill, a bird sanctuary should be accessible via the AT
system and separated from dogs. Here is a useful description from the City’s website:
“The southern portion of the park will remain a natural area with restored wetlands accessible by trails and
boardwalks with bird and wildlife watching opportunities. At Story Mill Community Park dogs are welcome on-leash
in most areas, except in the Nature Sanctuary where dogs are prohibited. Dogs are welcome on-leash in the northern
portion of the park and off-leash in the West Paw Dog Park.”
Please consider this a beginning of a conversation. I attended the 30% Plan Meeting on
May 8th at the Safety Center and plan to remain involved in the FAC project.
Admittedly, I don’t want to see the road built at all but if we are going to do it, let’s work
together to do it in a way that protects natural resources and elevates user experience at
the same time.
Thank you,
Angie Kociolek
620 N Tracy Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715