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Home My WebLink AboutTOP_application_Bozeman_PondBozeman Pond Park Expansion Application for City of Bozeman TOP Funding October 17, 2013 Submitted by: PO Box 7021, Bozeman, MT 59771 406-587-8404 www.gvlt.org TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 2 1. Please give a brief description of your project that includes location, budget, amount requested and amount contributed from other sources. Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) proposes expanding the Bozeman Pond Park by approximately 9 acres onto raw land immediately north of the existing park. This will create a 24-acre flagship park with natural areas, picnic facilities, outdoor classroom, trails, riparian features, off-leash dog area, and separate parking that connects into existing trail networks and provides opportunities for recreation in high-density, fast-growing northwest Bozeman. An exciting and unique component of this project is a partnership with HAVEN, the local domestic violence shelter and advocacy organization, which will acquire 3 acres of adjacent land for a community center and emergency shelter. A detailed budget is attached to this proposal. The total project cost is approximately $1,178,400. GVLT proposes that the TOP Bond fund the project for a total of $1,045,000 (89%) in two phases: • Phase I: Acquire 9 acres of land. GVLT requests funding from the TOP Bond for up to $607,100, with an additional $33,400 (5%) contributed from other sources. • Phase II: Improve the parkland. GVLT requests funding from the TOP Bond for up to $437,900, with an additional $100,000 (19%) contributed from other sources. 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 a pond and 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 on an arterial street (Fowler Avenue) and near multiple community services (such as the Gallatin Valley Mall, grocery store, restaurants, Streamline transit service, etc.) and ties into existing trail facilities. Aasheim Fields baseball diamonds are immediately across Fowler Avenue and the park is just two blocks from Hyalite Elementary School. This densely populated, fast-growing segment of Bozeman is underserved by parks and the demand for additional facilities is high. An Innovative Partnership The property was under contract for high-density residential development several times over the last year. At risk of losing the opportunity to expand Bozeman Pond Park, GVLT decided to work toward acquiring the property as quickly as possible. At the same time, GVLT became aware that HAVEN was trying to acquire approximately three acres of the property, but the seller would only convey the 12-acre property in its entirety. To leverage funding and achieve multiple community goals, GVLT and HAVEN entered into a unique partnership and GVLT secured a contract on the property in late September. GVLT – which catalyzes, builds and maintains community trails, and HAVEN – which provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention, and on-going support to victims of domestic abuse – are collaborating to create an innovative community park and family violence prevention project. HAVEN will use three acres of the property for their new community center and secure emergency shelter and GVLT proposes that the remaining nine acres of land be acquired for parkland using TOP Bond funding. This unique partnership will provide the Bozeman community with incomparable parkland, critical social services not provided through any other source, and exceptional value because we can share the TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 3 costs of the purchase and infrastructure development. In the end, this innovative collaboration will result in enhanced safety and welfare of our community by providing critical services and creating safe and affordable opportunities for recreation and gathering. Budget Please see the attached detailed budget. Some components of the budget, especially related to Phase I, are subject to change depending on timing and completing due diligence processes. Because our contract on the property is short, we need to move quickly to take advantage of this opportunity. Phase I: The entire 12-acre property was listed for $895,000, but GVLT secured a contract for $800,000. HAVEN will pay for their tract proportionally, which will be dependent on how much acreage they take as per the final boundary relocation. HAVEN’s portion is expected to be approximately 25% of the property, which equates to $200,000. HAVEN will share the cost of the boundary relocation, survey work, appraisal, and other due diligence. GVLT is also contributing staff time and expertise in-kind, and ERA Landmark Real Estate has provided master planning services in-kind. GVLT will take title to the property using bridge financing until the City is able to purchase their portion of the property. The longer this takes, the more GVLT’s interim ownership costs will be, but GVLT is contributing these costs in-kind. In total, 5% of the acquisition costs will be contributed by GVLT, HAVEN and ERA Land Mark Real Estate. Phase II: The costs of improvements to the property are based on rough estimates created on a short timeline. A more thorough master planning process for the park may need to be completed, which could modify the proposed budget. However, Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Run Dog Run are committed to securing $100,000, or 19% of the total improvement costs in matching funds and in- kind contributions to leverage the TOP Bond request of $437,900 for Phase II. 2. Briefly describe how the project creates or enhances one or more of the following: a. Open Space / Natural Areas b. Parks c. Trails d. Water Quality e. Multi-Use Recreational Fields The proposed parkland greatly enhances Bozeman Pond Park by expanding it by 54% and creating a flagship community park complete with natural areas and trail connections. Identified in the PROST Plan, accessible to the public on a major arterial street with transit service, and providing spectacular vistas of Bozeman Pond and the Bridger Mountains, it is a large enough size to accommodate a variety of uses in the future, should Bozeman’s needs change over time. For now, the proposal for parkland would include the following components (see enclosed conceptual plan): • A ~5-acre natural park between the existing Bozeman Pond Park and Ravalli Road. This would be an extension of the existing Bozeman Pond parkland and would include natural surface trails, dog stations, and benches. This area would provide a buffer to Bozeman Pond itself and the pond perimeter trail, which are tightly constricted by the existing parkland boundary. Bozeman Pond Outlet Stream, which runs seasonally from south to north across the property, would be landscaped and improved for a riparian feature in the center of the park. A small area of the park would be more developed with picnic facilities and a natural TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 4 playground. A simple gathering space would serve as an outdoor classroom for students from Hyalite Elementary School or other schools, who would routinely use the expanded Bozeman Pond Park. These facilities will also benefit families who stay at HAVEN, who can use the parkland for recreation, reflection, and exercise. • A ~3.5-acre off-leash dog exercise area north of Ravalli Road, spearheaded by the non- profit organization Run Dog Run. The entire area would be fenced to provide a safe off-leash recreation area for dogs. Unlike off-leash trails and large off-leash parks like Snowfill or the Regional Park, this facility would provide a contained area with features to help dog owners exercise and train their dogs – a type of facility currently lacking in Bozeman. This type of facility would take pressure off of the remainder of Bozeman Pond Park, which is currently the most ticketed area for off-leash violations in Bozeman. Dog parks are the 6th most used recreation facility in Bozeman, and the PROST Plan recommends creating off- leash dog areas when and where opportunities arise. • Trail connections, including a paved, shared-use path paralleling Fowler Avenue that connects into the existing paved path on Huffine/College, and natural surface trails that offer recreational opportunities, provide access to park amenities, and create alternative transportation routes to community facilities such as Hyalite Elementary School, HAVEN, Streamline bus services and the Gallatin Valley Mall. • Restrooms and parking off of Ravalli/Fowler, including on-street parking and a separate ½-acre, 50-car parking lot. The parking would provide access to the dog exercise area and the rest of the park, as well as to those accessing Aasheim Fields across Fowler Avenue. A mid-block crossing on Fowler would be installed to ensure pedestrian safety; a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (such as located at 7th and Kagy) could be activated by pedestrians to alert traffic and allow safe crossing. The parking area would also help reduce safety and traffic issues on Fowler, where on-street parking is often problematic during events at Aasheim Fields. A restroom facility could also be located near this parking area to serve both the extended Bozeman Pond Park and Aasheim Fields. The three acre parcel that will be purchased by HAVEN will be used to implement their master plan for a modern facility that responds to the growing needs of Gallatin County’s families while fitting into the park setting. The facility will include a community gathering space for public education and services, offices for HAVEN staff and volunteers, and secure space for emergency housing. Later phases of development may include transitional housing and work force development facilities. This location is perfectly suited for HAVEN’s needs because it is close to public transportation, an elementary school, grocery stores and other shopping, and easily accessible for much of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. The aesthetics of the HAVEN development will complement the parkland development with landscaping and architectural design. Where used, fencing will be both attractive and functional to create a visual barrier without making the campus feel confining. HAVEN’s new facility will be a secure model that has public spaces as well as restricted access to certain areas. This secure model is the best practice in the field and will elevate awareness of this community issue. 3. Has the exact site been identified? If so, please detail here. Yes. The location of the parkland is depicted on the enclosed maps and is generally located east of Fowler Avenue and immediately north of Bozeman Pond. TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 5 4. Briefly explain how the project creates long term value for the residents of Bozeman. This project represents a rare opportunity to create a nexus of community assets focused on safe, affordable, and accessible community gathering spaces and recreation opportunities. The chance to expand an existing park is rare, and this project will connect into the Main Street to the Mountains trail system, baseball fields, and an elementary school, as well as providing a location for critical social services not provided through any other source. Taxpayer dollars will be leveraged with over $130,000 of funds contributed from other sources, and infrastructure costs will be shared with HAVEN. Our community will be safer with the elevated presence of HAVEN, helping to bring community awareness to an issue that affects one in four women and hundreds of children in our community. This project is closely aligned and entirely consistent with goals set forth in the City of Bozeman Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails “PROST” plan (2007). Specifically, the PROST Plan calls for: • Trail connections at this specific location (PROST trail map). • Consolidating and aggregating parkland into larger blocks wherever possible (goal 10.1.2). • Providing larger parks in underserved areas, and PROST identifies the northwest part of Bozeman between Babcock and Main Street as being underserved by parks (goal 10.1.5). • Siting parkland adjacent to school sites whenever possible (goal 10.2.3). Although this park is not directly adjacent to Hyalite Elementary School, together with Aasheim Fields it makes a large continuous block of parkland adjacent to a school. • Creating off-leash dog areas when and where opportunities arise (goal 10.5.11). • Parks to be served by adequate transportation networks (goal 10.2.2). Fowler is an arterial street served by Streamline transit service, and the park will tie into the Main Street to the Mountains trail network. • Parks to provide adequate parking (goal 10.2.8). Parking and frontage on Fowler Avenue help achieve this objective and the parking in this proposal will help alleviate a parking deficit at Aasheim Fields. 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/Huffine retailers, filling in a gap and creating a centralized connection between multiple community resources. The proposed project helps accomplish goals set forth in the Bozeman Community Plan (2009), including connecting the community using trails (R-1.5), ensuring that parkland size, location, suitability and development promote usability (R-1.6), using parks and open space to protect critical and sensitive lands (R-1.12), and continuing to provide parks that meet or exceed national per capita standards (R-1.14). The trail components of this park proposal, including the paved path along Fowler Avenue, will also help meet transportation goals set forth in that guiding document. The Bozeman Community Plan also calls for working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) to create a seamless network of recreational lands, and creating parkland adjacent to the TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 6 MFWP-owned Bozeman Pond would do just that. This proposal would also make the City of Bozeman the most logical entity to own MFWP’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 MFWP property. Further, the work of HAVEN at the adjacent location is supported by the Bozeman Community Plan, which advocates for affordable housing, partnerships with private agencies to ensure adequate services for the community, and maintaining public health and safety as a primary focus. Another long-term benefit to the City is that future infrastructure costs could be shared with HAVEN. Ravalli Road and Pond Row will likely need to be connected when HAVEN builds their facilities. Completion of Ravalli Road will also provide access to the public parking and the park itself. Sharing the costs of completing approximately 600 feet of local street (estimated to cost $250,000) will be beneficial to the community. We are not proposing using TOP Bond funding for the construction of that road. Fowler Avenue will likely be widened at some point in the future, probably utilizing a Special Improvement District (SID). If the City owns parkland within the boundary of that SID, it will pay into the SID like any other landowner. 5. Please list all groups/organizations involved or contributing to this project and what their short and long term commitments will be. Partners for the project include: • Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT). If approved for TOP Bond funding, GVLT will purchase the property and hold it until the City of Bozeman can take title. GVLT is committing $106,500 in matching funds through in-kind contributions related to transaction costs, trail improvements, and other park infrastructure. • HAVEN. Since HAVEN is acquiring 3 acres of land as a part of the same sale, they will help share some of the transactional costs, thereby reducing the overall burden to the TOP Bond. This will amount to over $2,400 in match for Phase I of the project. HAVEN would also be a future partner in infrastructure improvements to Pond Row/Ravalli Road, sharing the costs with the City as appropriate. • Run Dog Run. This non-profit organization advocates for off-leash recreation facilities for Bozeman dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership practices in the community. Run Dog Run is committed to fully funding and developing the creation of an off-leash dog facility in the portion of the park north of Ravalli Road, and helping to develop other park amenities, amounting to approximately $22,500. The project also has the support of the following organizations and community institutions: • Bozeman Breakfast Optimist Club. This club has adopted the existing Bozeman Pond Park and helped install over $1 million in infrastructure improvements. They may continue to invest in new improvements to the additional parkland. • Bozeman Police Department • Bozeman Recreation & Parks Advisory Board, which voted unanimously to support the project on October 10. TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 7 • Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) • Hyalite Elementary School 6. Please describe the anticipated maintenance requirements for the site and who will be responsible for the maintenance. The City of Bozeman will be ultimately responsible for maintenance of this park, but since the park is between two existing parks already maintained by the City of Bozeman, this will create little additional cost. Maintenance of the new parkland will be seamless as crews will already be on-site. Regular maintenance will include mowing, weed control, periodic resurfacing of natural surface trails, and management of restrooms, garbage, dog stations, and irrigation. These costs can be incrementally added to the Recreation and Parks Department budget. Partnerships will also reduce maintenance costs. The Gallatin Valley Land Trust is committed to helping with the management and maintenance of the trails and signage, including periodic trail resurfacing, weed control, brushing, and installing totems and kiosks. GVLT has a professional staff of seven and hundreds of volunteers donate over 2,500 hours each year. GVLT helps to manage over 67 miles of existing trails in the Main Street to the Mountains trail network. Run Dog Run is also committed to contributing resources to fully stock six pet waste stations at the park for two full years. Run Dog Run has experience with similar maintenance obligations at the Gallatin County Regional Park. 7. Are you aware of any mitigation needs on any part of a proposed property? If so, please explain. We are not aware of any mitigation needs or issues on the property. TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 8 Photographs User-created trails weave through native grasses in a part of the property that would become natural parkland. Looking north onto the property to be acquired, from the Bozeman Pond perimeter trail. TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 9 A trail cuts north from the Bozeman Pond perimeter trail onto the property to be acquired. A user-created trail meanders next to riparian vegetation along the Bozeman Pond Outlet Stream. TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 10 Looking south along a user-created trail that parallels Fowler Avenue. This is the general location for a future paved, shared-use pathway. Looking north from approximately where Ravalli Road would be completed, onto the portion of the property proposed for an off-leash dog exercise area. TOP Funding Application: Bozeman Pond Expansion Page 11 Parking often overflows onto Fowler Avenue during events at Aasheim Fields, which may be alleviated by the new proposed parking area. The open vistas and native vegetation help create excellent opportunities for passive recreation in a fast-growing, densely populated part of town. Bozeman Pond ExpansionBudgetPhase I: Land Acquisition DetailTotal Cost Request to TOP % TOP Match Match SourcePurchase Price9 acres of landapprox. price of $1.53/square ft.600,000$ 600,000$ 100%‐$ Transaction CostsTitle and closingTitle insurance, closing costs4,000$ 4,000$ 100%‐$ AppraisalShared with HAVEN3,000$ 1,850$ 62% 1,150$ HAVENBoundary Realignment to create 3‐acre parcel for HAVEN2,500$ 1,250$ 50% 1,250$ HAVENSite Planningto develop concpet plan2,000$ ‐$ 2,000$ ERA Landmark Real EstateGVLT Interim Ownership costs associated with interest, etc.15,000$ ‐$ 15,000$ GVLTGVLT project management legal fees, due diligence, staff time14,000$ ‐$ 14,000$ GVLTPHASE I640,500$ 607,100$ 95% 33,400$ 5%Phase II: Improvements DetailTotal Request to TOP % TOP Match Matching SourcesInfrastructureParking lot1/2‐acre, 40‐50 car capacity80,000$ 80,000$ 100%‐$ Mid‐Block Crossing Fowler to Aasheim Fields, flashing beacon10,000$ 10,000$ 100%‐$ Restroom facilities small facility, like similar parks120,000$ 120,000$ 100%‐$ Irrigationwells, sprinklers48,000$ 48,000$ 100%‐$ Landscapingweed control, restoration, plantings, etc.35,000$ 35,000$ 100%‐$ Stream restoration restoring vegetation, improving meanders30,000$ 30,000$ 100%‐$ TrailsAsphalt path (Fowler) approx. 1300 ft @ $20/linear ft26,000$ 26,000$ 100%‐$ Natural fines trails approx. 2500 ft @ $6/linear ft15,000$ ‐$ 15,000$ GVLTAmenitiesDog exercise areafencing, gates, etc.20,000$ ‐$ 20,000$ Run Dog RunDog stationssix stations plus bags for 2 years2,500$ ‐$ 2,500$ Run Dog RunPicnic shelterSmall shelter with multiple tables80,000$ 40,000$ 50% 40,000$ GVLTBenchesfive @ $2000 each10,000$ ‐$ 10,000$ GVLTNatural playground for various ages12,500$ ‐$ 12,500$ GVLTContingency10% construction contingency48,900$ 48,900$ 100%‐$ PHASE II537,900$ 437,900$ 81% 100,000$ 19%TOTAL1,178,400$ 1,045,000$ 89% 133,400$ 11% Bozeman Pond Hyalite Elementary School AasheimFields Gallatin Valley Mall MAIN BABCOCK FOWLERFALLON GARFIELD HUFFINE DONNAYELLOWSTONERAVALLI CASCADE VALLEYWILDAGRANITEHUNTERSTETONSANDERSMEAGHERPRAIRIEVIRGINIALAREDO SUNLIGHTCOLLEGEMEGHANSSHERIDANFLATHEAD WHITE OAKPONDSWEETGRASSMENDENHALL MICHAEL GROVELARAMIEPONDERA SILVER MAPLEMERIWETHERACCESSDROULLIARDGOLDEN VALLEYCHOUTEAU DRIVEWAYYORK LILLIAN OLIVINE TREASURECAHILL STILLWATERGINELLAMAGDALENEBROADWATER GENA FOWLERDRIVEWAYPONDERAFOWLERDRIVEWAY RAVALLI SHERIDANDRIVEWAYDRIVEWAYGRANITEkap 2013.10.16 ~ PO Box 7021 ~ Bozeman, MT 59771~~ 406.587.8404 ~ www.gvlt.org ~ ´ 0 1,000 2,000500Feet1:7,984 Bozeman Pond Location Existing Trails Proposed to HAVEN Proposed Parkland Schools Existing Parkland Aerial photo from 2012 AasheimFields FOWLERWILDABABCOCK PONDRAVALLI LAREDOSTILLWATER GOLDEN VALLEYDRIVE W A Y kap 2013.10.16 ~ PO Box 7021 ~ Bozeman, MT 59771~~ 406.587.8404 ~ www.gvlt.org ~ ´ 0 250 500125Feet1:2,372 Bozeman Pond Park Proposed Expansion Existing Trails Proposed to HAVEN Proposed Parkland Schools Existing Parkland Aerial photo from 2012 ~3 acres to HAVEN ~5.5-acre Natural Parkland ~3.5-acre Dog Park & Parking Area