HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-26 Public Comment - J. Trilling - GWC Public Comment on Bikefill 3_25_26From:Jared Trilling
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]GWC Public Comment on Bikefill 3/25/26
Date:Tuesday, March 24, 2026 4:08:12 PM
Attachments:GVLT Bikefill LOS 26.3.9.pdf
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Hello, please see the attached comment on the draft Bikefill Community Bike Park Masterplan for the 3/25/26 Urban Parks and Forestry Board meeting.
Thank you,
Jared Trilling, Project ManagerGallatin Watershed Councilhttp://gallatinwatershedcouncil.org
Cell: 406.218.1580
March 23, 2026
To the Bozeman Urban Parks and Forestry Board,
On behalf of the Gallatin Watershed Council (GWC), I am writing to support the Bikefill Community Bike
Park project. After reviewing the draft master plan, we believe it strikes a good balance between
developing bike park infrastructure and conserving the site's water resources. The draft plan adheres to
the City of Bozeman Wetland and Watercourse Code by keeping trails mostly outside the 50-foot
watercourse setback. Additionally, it designates a "wetland and wildlife conservation zone” along part of
Churn Creek where no trails will be built. This zone covers much of the existing high-quality wetland and
riparian habitat along Churn Creek, along with some native montane grassland remnants.
We are encouraged by the City’s and GVLT’s interest in revegetating and restoring the site. This project
aligns perfectly with our ongoing Branch Out Bozeman partnership with the City of Bozeman, through
which we are working to increase the urban forest canopy and replant riparian corridors in municipal
parks across the city. We have been actively collaborating with both the City and GVLT to develop a
framework for implementing restoration projects at the site, including revegetating the riparian zone of
the ephemeral drainage along the northern part of the project area and the western part of Churn Creek
with native trees and shrubs such as such as willows, black hawthorn, chokecherry, red-osier dogwood,
cottonwood, speckled alder, and quaking aspen. Reestablishing these woody riparian species will help
keep the water cool, filter out pollutants in stormwater and shallow groundwater, and provide excellent
wildlife habitat.
Additionally, the lower portion of Churn Creek is overly straightened and incised, and we are encouraged
by the interest in pursuing some restoration techniques, such as beaver dam analogs, to aggrade the
channel and raise the water table in this area. All of the proposed restoration techniques are
volunteer-friendly and would offer a great opportunity to engage the public in the park's stewardship.
We believe the draft plan balances high-quality recreation with sensible stream and wetland stewardship,
and GWC is eager to continue working with the City of Bozeman and GVLT to carry out these restoration
and revegetation efforts as the project advances.
Thank you,
Jared Trilling
Project Manager
Gallatin Watershed Council
The Gallatin Watershed Council guides collaborative water stewardship
in the Gallatin Valley for a healthy and productive landscape.
www.gallatinwatershedcouncil.org