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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVLT Fact Sheet Bozeman Pond Expansion RPABBozeman Pond Expansion Project From: Gallatin Valley Land Trust: Kelly Pohl, Associate Director To: Bozeman Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Date: October 3, 2013 Goal. Gallatin Valley Land Trust seeks the input and support of RPAB on our proposal to the City TOP Bond to expand the Bozeman Pond Park by ~9 acres onto raw land immediately north of the existing park. This will create a 24+ acre flagship park that connects into existing trail networks and provides opportunities for future parkland needs in the high-density, underserved west side of Bozeman. GVLT will be taking this proposal to the TOP Bond Committee in late October. Some of the details presented here are subject to change before the TOP proposal is submitted, but the overall scope of the project is described below. Background. Bozeman Pond is an existing 16.5-acre community park owned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and leased, operated and maintained by the City of Bozeman. The park is in the fastest-growing northwest quadrant of the City and includes natural open-space with trails and fully developed amenities, including beaches, fishing access, dog beach, picnic facilities, restroom facilities, playground, and climbing boulder. There is no remaining space for additional park infrastructure. The park is near multiple community services (such as the Gallatin Valley Mall - a public transportation hub, grocery store, restaurants, etc.) and ties into existing trail facilities. It is also 2 blocks from an elementary school and near another existing City park with ball fields. This densely populated, fast-growing segment of Bozeman is underserved by parks and the demand for additional facilities is high. Approximately 12 acres of land immediately north of Bozeman Pond has been for sale for the last year and a half. One recent, unsuccessful development proposal for this property included 118 residential units. GVLT and partners have been trying to work with the seller on a parkland proposal, but the seller indicated they could not wait for the City process. To secure the property, GVLT and HAVEN collaborated to acquire a contract on the 12-acre property. (HAVEN is the local a domestic violence shelter and advocacy non-profit organization.) HAVEN would use 3 acres of the property for their new secure shelter facility, and GVLT proposes selling the remaining 9 acres land to the City of Bozeman for parkland using TOP Bond funding. Park Proposal. This project was identified in the City of Bozeman Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails “PROST” plan (2007), which recommends trail connections at this location and advocates for consolidating and aggregating parkland into larger blocks wherever possible. The PROST Plan also identifies the northwest part of Bozeman as being underserved by large parks, and the property is in a very dense neighborhood with few large parks (other than linear stream corridors). The proposed park will also add to the variety and balance of park and trails, connecting important community resources and complimenting the existing Main Street to the Mountains trail network. It links existing public features at Bozeman Pond, Aasheim Fields, Hyalite Elementary School, Gallatin Valley Mall, and other Main Street retailers. Acquiring land adjacent to Bozeman Pond would also make the City of Bozeman the most logical entity to own FWP’s property, should they ever decide to divest their interest, and ensures that Bozeman owns parkland in this important area no matter what happens to the FWP property. As currently conceptualized, the park proposal would include the following components: • A ~5-acre natural area between the existing Bozeman Pond park and Ravalli Road. This would be a natural extension of the existing Bozeman Pond parkland. The natural area could include natural fines trails, dog stations, and benches. A small area may be more developed with picnic facilities and a natural playground. • A 3.5-acre off-leash dog exercise area north of Ravalli Road. The entire area would be fenced to provide a safe off-leash recreation area for dogs, which is currently a type of facility lacking in Bozeman. This type of facility is needed and would take pressure off of the rest of Bozeman Pond Park, which is currently the most ticketed area for off-leash violations. • Parking off of Ravalli/Fowler, including on-street parking and a separate lot. The parking would accommodate park users, as well as those accessing Aasheim Fields across Fowler Avenue, which currently has a need for additional parking. A restroom facility could also be located in this area. • Trail connections, including a paved, shared-use path along Fowler Ave. that connects into the existing paved path on Main Street, and natural surface trails that provide access to park amenities, create alternative transportation routes, and provide recreational opportunities. Partners and supporters include HAVEN, Run Dog Run, Bozeman Breakfast Optimists, and Hyalite Elementary School. Cost Phase I will cover the cost of acquiring the property, and will likely be between $600,000 and $750,000, depending on appraised value and boundary relocation with the HAVEN parcel. GVLT will seek TOP Bond funding for the acquisition. Phase II will cover the cost of improvements based on a detailed master plan, and will likely be between $400,000 and $600,000. Some of the improvement costs are expected to be contributed by partners and in-kind sources, and the rest will be requested from the TOP Bond. Looking north and east onto the property from Bozeman Pond. From the northern boundary of Bozeman Pond, looking north and west onto the property, Trails, created by use, already crisscross the property, showing its natural fit into the Bozeman Pond park. Looking north from Bozeman Pond onto the property. Bozeman Pond Hyalite Elementary School AasheimFields Gallatin Valley Mall MAIN BABCOCK 25THFERGUSONGARFIELD FALLON VALLEYHUFFINE FOWLERYELLOWSTONECASCADETETON 24THVILLARD DONNA HUNTERSTOOLE WESTERNSANDERSMEAGHERCOLLEGEMINERALWILDASHERIDANFLATHEADGRANITEALLEYSWEETGRASSBROADWATERMICHAEL GROVEPRAIRIEVIRGINIALAREDO SUNLIGHTMEGHANSDRIVEWAYWHITE OAKYERGERRAVALLI PONDMENDENHALL LARAMIE PROFESSIONALPONDERASILVER MAPLEMERIWETHERACCESSVALLEY COMMONS CHRISTOPHEREDELWEISSDROULLIARDGOLDEN VALLEYCHOUTEAU CHASEDITEMANYORK LILLIAN TREASURECAHILL BEALL ST ESTEPHEGENA RAVALLI FOWLERFOWLERDRIVEWAYPONDERADRIVEWAY DRIVEWAYTOOLE DRIVEWAYMENDENHALLDRIVEWAY DRIVEWAYDRIVEWAY FOWLERSHERIDANDRIVEWAYkap 2013.10.02 ~ PO Box 7021 ~ Bozeman, MT 59771~~ 406.587.8404 ~ www.gvlt.org ~ ´ 0 1,100 2,200550Feet1:9,605 Bozeman Pond Location Existing Trails Proposed to HAVEN Proposed Parkland Schools Existing Parkland Aerial photo from 2012 Bozeman Pond ~3 acres to HAVEN ~3.8 acresOff-Leash Dog Area& Parking ~5.2 acresNatural Parkland Future Ravalli Road WILDAFOWLERPONDRAVALLI GOLDEN VALLEYDRIVEWAY kap 2013.10.02 ~ PO Box 7021 ~ Bozeman, MT 59771~~ 406.587.8404 ~ www.gvlt.org ~ ´ 0 220 440110Feet1:1,951 Bozeman Pond Expansion Existing Trails HAVEN Parkland Schools Existing Parkland Aerial photo from 2012