HomeMy WebLinkAboutStory Mill Community Park Public Comment from Rebecca Belou 3-19-14From:Rebecca Belou
To:Agenda
Subject:Story Mill Community Park
Date:Tuesday, March 18, 2014 12:03:57 PM
Dear Bozeman City Commission,
I strongly urge you to vote in favor of the Story Mill Community Park proposal. When I voted in favor of the Trails, Open Space, and Parks Bond, I voted in hopesthat a park like this would be created in the City of Bozeman. The Trust for PublicLand has done their homework prior to submitting the proposal, as they havealready received public input for what the community desires in a new park. Ibelieve the proposed Park hits the nail right on the head.
The proposed trail connectivity, in conjunction with the already-approved "Path tothe M", will help Bozeman stay healthy and safe. It will provide safe routes forpedestrian and bicycle travelers. It will help secure another vital, missing piece ofthe Main Street to the Mountains trail system. As a resident of the Bridger CreekSubdivision, I frequently travel to Main Street via the Story Mill Connector Trail, butmust walk a quarter of a mile in mud along L Street where the trail seeminglydisappears, or walk on the narrow shoulders of Bridger Canyon/Rouse. These areboth unsafe and inconvenient options, as drivers often speed around the curves,splashing mud and water from their tires. A trail set aside the roads would mitigatethis danger to pedestrians and cyclists. The loop trails within the park will allowBozemanites to stay active and will enhance our connectivity to nature preserved bythe park.
Not only will this park preserve wetlands and vital habitat for a plethora of species, itwill serve as a space for learning. The 'living classroom' concept that the parkproposal emphasizes is one of the utmost importance. When Sally Jewell came andspoke at MSU last week, she spoke of a disturbing phenomenon in which today'syouth are becoming less and less connected to nature across the country. A reasonwhy I choose to continue living in Bozeman is because I want my children to haveaccess to nature, and to learn from it and learn in it they way I was able to when Iwas young. To me, a vote against this park is a vote for future disconnect fromnature.
This letter touches on only a few of the benefits the park will provide to thecommunity. I hope that you review the proposal keeping in mind the vast input ithas already received from the community, and vote "Yes" for our future.
Thank you,Rebecca BelouResident of the City of BozemanResearch Analyst at Montana State UniversityAvid Trail User and Nature Lover
-- Rebecca Belou(c)770.402.7862rebecca.belou@gmail.com