HomeMy WebLinkAboutStory Mill Community Park Public Comment from combined letter 3-19-14
13 March, 2014
City of Bozeman Mayor and Commissioners
City of Bozeman
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
Dear Bozeman City Commission Members and Mayor Krauss,
“Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their
lives.” – Thomas Berry.
Imagine a park brimming with local history, stellar scenery at every vista, and teaming with wildlife. This
is what the Story Mill property has to offer and all within Bozeman city limits. The site is a unique
treasure trove of opportunity for residents and visitors alike.
Though we would like to think that living in Bozeman Montana, an outdoor enthusiast’s delight, our
resident youth are out frequently playing in and learning about the precious natural world and resources
that surround the Gallatin Valley. Sadly, this is not the case. In our experience over the many years
working with children, it has become clear that our children, like most others across the nation, are
experiencing a growing disconnect to the natural world, each other, and their community. The Story Mill
property, once developed as a public park and nature reserve can help curtail this process and reconnect
children and their families to each other and their local surroundings.
We each have had the opportunity to introduce our youth participants to the Story Mill property this past
summer when they participated in camp days of learning and exploration hosted by The Trust for Public
Land. We watched the children’s eyes widen with delight as they experienced, learned about, and shared
the local lore and wildness of this unique site. Bozeman is fortunate to have such an accessible treasure.
The site has the potential to be a landmark for local youth to develop a better understanding, awareness
and connection to their heritage and precious natural resources we all depend upon.
We support The Trust for Public Land’s effort to develop the Story Mill property as a public park to help
preserve not only the unique qualities of the area but to also preserve and enhance a sense of place for our
area youth and their families. As educators and sponsors of youth programs across the community, we
believe the Story Mill park will provide a unique outdoor classroom of learning and discovery to
complement and augment our programming. The already successful community partnerships indicate
strong and sustainable community support of this park plan, we hope the City Commissioners will
support this effort as well.
Bobbi J Geise, Director Steve Eshbaugh, Executive Director
Learning By Nature Montana Outdoor Science School
Dabrianna Raprager, Program Coordinator Andrea Stevenson, CEO
Boys and Girls Club of SW Montana Gallatin Valley YMCA