HomeMy WebLinkAboutGVLT Request to RPAB for Letters of Support Y
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Mr. Bob Wade,Chairman \ • • •
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Recreation and Parks Advisory Board tral
814 N. Bozeman St.
Bozeman, MT 59715
February 6, 2015
Dear Recreation and Parks Advisory Board:
We need your help with some exciting new trail projects.The Gallatin Valley Land Trust(GVLT)will be
applying for grant funding from two sources. Letters of support greatly enhance our application's scores.
Would RPAB be willing to provide us with letters of support to help us secure funding for these
worthwhile community trail projects?
Here are our two proposals:
1) GVLT is applying for a $45,000 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant to help fund
improvements to the Main Street to the Mountains trail system. RTP grants are administered by
Montana State Parks and the funding comes from the federal transportation bill. For more than
15 years, RTP has provided a critical source of funding for GVLT's Community Trails Program and
letters of support greatly enhance our application's score.
Our RTP proposal will include funding for these projects:
• A new east/west trail in northeast Bozeman,connecting the Oak Street Path at Rouse Ave.to
the Story Mill Spur Trail.
• Improvements to the Snowfill Recreation Area, including expanded parking,an additional
entry gate,and a vault toilet.
• A new bridge crossing at the Burke Park entrance, replacing a degraded culvert.
• Updating signage and trail kiosks for improved wayfinding and to encourage responsible trail
use.
2) GVLT is also applying for funding to the City of Bozeman's Trails, Open Space and Parks(TOP)
bond program to help fund the first trail mentioned above—an east/west connection in
northeast Bozeman.This connection will be a paved,shared-use pathway built within a public
street right-of-way,and will include a new bridge over Bozeman Creek.This important trail will
provide a safe connection between an existing paved bike/pedestrian path along Oak Street and
the County Fairgrounds,with the northeast neighborhood district,the Story Mill Spur Trail, and
the new Story Mill Park.This trail corridor was identified in the Bozeman Parks, Recreation, Open
space, and Trails(PROST) Plan, and the Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan.We expect to
ask for approximately$150,000 of TOP bond funding.There will also be opportunities to
participate in public meetings about this project during the approval process.
I will be present at the February 12th RPAB meeting to answer questions and would be happy to address
any concerns you may have.We feel these grant funded projects will greatly benefit the City of Bozeman
by helping to expand and improve Main Street to the Mountains.
Yours Sincerely,
Gary V dehnal
Trails Program Coordinator `LRED/p�
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406.587.8404 wwwgvlt.org
406.582.1136 P.O.Box 7021 Bozeman,MT 59771 r;�o@gvlt.org