HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPEC PRES ParksCity of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
2014 Annual Report
Creating Community Through People, Parks and Programs
138
Dear Bozeman Residents:
On the whole, 2014 was a year of transition for your Parks, Recreation and
Cemetery Department. It was a year of planning and working to meet the needs
of our growing, healthy, active and engaged community. Our hope is that the en-
closed document helps our citizens to further discern the role of this Department
within the community while providing a record for the year.
This past year we purchased 134 acres of community parkland from our voter
approved Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOP) Bond Funds. Fifty-four acres
were for the acquisition of the Story Mill Community Park land in the northeast
quadrant of town while 80 acres were purchased for the future Bozeman Sports
Park in the northwest part of town. While work continues on the two above pro-
jects, we continue to push forward on three previously approved TOP projects:
the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project at Bogert Park, the Trail to the “M”
and Drinking Horse Mountain and the Bozeman Pond Park Expansion Project.
With support and encouragement from the Mayor and City Commission, our
Forestry Division increased the number of community cost share tree installa-
tions by 40% in 2014 from 125 to 175. This past year also saw the beginnings of
our City of Bozeman Urban Forest and Emerald Ash Borer Management Plans.
Our Parks Division completed three Park Improvement Grant (PIG) projects.
PIGs are a 50/50 matching grant with community members or groups for park
improvements. In general, the Parks, Recreation, and Aquatics Divisions each
dealt with typical community growth issues such as increased impact on all
public spaces, facilities and programs.
The Cemetery Division opened a new Memorial Garden. The garden is situated
on the eastern side of the Sunset Hills Cemetery within a beautiful grove of ma-
ture trees. It offers a quiet area for reflection and features a granite wall to me-
morialize loved ones as an alternative or additional option to traditional burial.
Finally, I would like to take a moment to thank our community volunteers, part-
ners and volunteer advisory board members. Hundreds of community members
volunteer their time each year to help make Bozeman The Most Livable Place.
Let’s make 2015 even better!
Mitchell J. Overton, MS, CPRP
Letter from the Director
Page 2 City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
139
The Bozeman Parks and Recreation
Department offers a wide variety of
facilities and services for both residents
and visitors. From pre-school programs to
active aging classes, our Recreation
Division continues to expand its offerings
as the city experiences significant growth
with a population increase of 15% in the
past ten years. The Aquatics Division is
keeping pace by expanding pool hours at
the Swim Center’s indoor 50-meter pool
and at Bogert outdoor pool.
Our Park Operations crews maintain over
450 acres of public park land and open
space and conduct regular playground
inspections in 36 city and developer-built
parks. The Forestry Division provides cost-
shared street tree plantings for new
homeowners and maintains over 20,000
boulevard trees. Sunset Hills Cemetery,
with its majestic spruce and maple trees
will soon provide a special area for
veterans.
In response to the need for additional park
and open space facilities, the $15 million
Trails, Open Space and Parks bond
initiative approved by the voters in 2012
provided a funding mechanism that has
leveraged over $8 million in partner
contributions for the acquisition and
development of over 145 acres of new
parkland. Proposed residential
developments are slated to add roughly
another 100 acres of new parkland over
the next two years.
Serving a Growing Community
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
Page 3
140
The Parks Division is responsible for the
development and maintenance of all
public parks, trails, open space and
sports fields within the City limits. With
the additions of Lerner and Ainsworth
Parks into the division’s responsibilities,
the parks division is responsible for over
450 acres of parkland, 15 acres of linear
park and trail corridors, 41 actual parks
and 60+ miles of trails. In addition there
are over 30 HOA maintained city parks
encompassing over 200 acres and includ-
ing 16 playgrounds.
Key accomplishments in 2014 were:
Design and installation of new
park facility signs
East Gallatin Recreation Area
beach improvements
Installation of a bronze frog and
mosaic tile water fountain sculp-
ture in in Beall Park
Addition of over 3 miles of new
trails in Valley Unit Park and
Snowfill Recreation Area dog park
Installation of a barrier-free rest-
room facility in Lindley Park
Increased tournaments through-
out the spring and summer, in-
cluding the inaugural Yellowstone
Invitational Lacrosse tournament
Parks Division
Page 4
East Gallatin Recreation Area
New Park Facility Sign
Snowfill Recreation Area Trails
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
141
We work in partnership with several
community organizations and service
clubs, and non-profits to develop and
maintain the parks, including: the fol-
lowing groups among many others:
Optimist Club
Sunrise Rotary Club
Gallatin Valley Land Trust
Run Dog Run
Bozeman Sports Park Foundation
Trust for Public Land
Gallatin Watershed Council
Bridger Ski Foundation
These partners have assisted with facil-
ity renovations, trail construction, park
land acquisition and park improve-
ments, and promoting stewardship of
the City of Bozeman’s parks.
The Park Improvement Grant program
was initiated in 1999. These grants are
used as matching funds for community
proposed park improvements with a
minimum 1:1 dollar match. Cash, labor-
in-lieu, discounted or donated material,
and specialized services are accepted as
grant match. Projects in 2014 included:
infield renovations at Christie Fields,
expansion of the trail system at the
Snowfill Recreation Area dog off-leash
park and the frog water fountain sculp-
ture at Beall Park.
Parks Division
Page 5
Lindley Park restroom building
Christie Fields
By the Numbers
Total number of parks…..…….41
Parkland maintained….465 acres
Trails maintained…….…45+miles
Trails added (2014)……..2.3 miles
Sidewalk maintained…..16+miles
Playgrounds maintained….......36
Dog waste stations…..……...…41
Picnic tables……..…………….117
Park picnic shelters…………....10
Ice rink area (4)…………2.7 acres
Parks Division FY 2014-15
operating budget………..$571,918
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
142
The $15 million Trails, Open Space, and Parks
bond initiative was passed with 73.4% approval
in 2012. To date, three major acquisitions of
new park land have been completed, including:
54 acres for Story Mill Community Park
80 acres for the Bozeman Sports Park
9 acres for Bozeman Pond Park expansion
The five approved projects funded under the
TOP bond made significant progress in 2014:
Public input workshops for master planning
of Story Mill Community Park, Bozeman
Pond Park, and Bozeman Sports Park and
initial scoping meetings for the Trail to the
M and Drinking Horse Mountain were held
A conceptual master plan for the Bozeman
Sports Park was prepared and fundraising
was initiated by the newly-formed Bozeman
Sports Park Foundation
Public-private partnership agreements were
executed with Trust for Public Land and the
Bozeman Sports Park Foundation outlaying
project objectives and responsibilities
Wetland and floodplain enhancements val-
ued at over $500,000 aimed at improving
stormwater quality for the Gallatin River
watershed were completed by TPL on the
Story Mill Community Park site
Design and engineering proceeded for the
Bozeman Creek Enhancement project at
Bogert Park
Community funding totaling nearly $8.5
million was leveraged with $14.085 million
allocated from the Trails, Open Space and
Parks bond fund, for a total value of
$22,585,000 added to the system.
Trails, Open Space, and Parks
Page 6
Wetland and floodplain enhancements in
Story Mill Community Park
Nine–acre land acquisition for
expansion of Bozeman Pond Park
Bozeman Sports Park Conceptual Plan
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
143
The 73-acre Sunset Hills Cemetery is a virtual arboretum of stately pine,
fir, spruce, ash, maple, cedar and various ornamental trees. The site
currently contains nearly 16,000 burial sites with nine dedicated affiliation
areas and room for expansion. A new memorial garden has recently been
added and plans are underway to include a section to be eligible for
Veterans Administration funded burials.
Cemetery Division
Page 7
Mapping of the current irrigation
system, which runs on city water,
is being completed to develop a
sustainable water use strategy.
In 2014, a total of 145 burials were
conducted and 17 grave settlement
repairs were completed.
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
144
The City of Bozeman Forestry Division is
committed to providing a healthy, safe,
and aesthetically pleasing urban forest for
its residents and visitors. By maintain-
ing, managing, and preserving its trees,
the city raises our collective standard of
living and maximizes the benefits that are
realized by its residents.
The Forestry Division is responsible for
the maintenance of roughly 20,000 trees
on city property, including those on street
boulevards, in parks and cemetery, along
trails, and in landscapes surrounding city
buildings. The division also offers many
community services, such as sidewalk
snow removal, Christmas tree recycling,
Christmas decorations, hanging the ice
rink curtain, alley clearance, and public
education.
The past year brought changes to the
Forestry Division. The existing office at
the Shop Complex was moved to a new
location at the Vehicle Maintenance build-
ing. Senior employee Vincent Galli was
promoted to the City Forester position
and Wynn Krauss was brought on as an
additional arborist.
Our community’s urban forest is an essen-
tial component of municipal infrastruc-
ture, one that creates efficiencies and long
term solutions for achieving a sustainable
environment. Bozeman’s urban forest is
cared for by the city and its people, creat-
ing a higher quality of life, a healthier
citizenry, and making it a leader among
towns in the mountain west.
Forestry Division
Page 8
Cost-share trees await planting
Forestry staff: City Forester Vince Galli
with Amy Hansen, Jennifer Jolilff, and
Wynn Krauss. All are ISA certified
arborists.
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
Bozeman High School students and learn
about the benefits of street trees
145
Planted a total of 175 new boule-
vard trees through the Cost-share
Tree Program
Issued 103 Tree Replacement
Vouchers at $100 each to Bozeman
homeowners
Celebrated Arbor Day by planting
4 new trees at Bozeman High
School
Transplanted 4 new trees on Holly
Drive and 2 for HRDC in celebra-
tion of Arbor Day
Trimmed elm trees and treated for
elm scale in Cooper Park
Trimmed small trees in new subdi-
visions for structure and to elimi-
nate encroachments
Continued to provide prompt ser-
vice for tree trimming, site inspec-
tions and public information
Worked with Sanitation Division
and Allied Waste to clear alleys for
garbage trucks
Provided clearance for Street
Improvement projects
Began sampling for Emerald Ash
Borer
Added 596 trees to tree inventory
Hired a consultant to begin the
development of an Urban Forest
Management Plan
Recycled 35 tons of Christmas
trees to be utilized as ground cover
Forestry Division
Page 9
Structural pruning and sidewalk clearance
By the Numbers
Small trees trimmed………………..763
Aerial lift trimming…...……………..155
Removals…………………….………..94
Tree replacement vouchers.….…..103
Cost-share trees planted……..……175
Arbor Day trees planted…………….10
Cemetery trees planted……………..10
Stumps ground………..……………...82
Christmas trees recycled (tons)…..35
City tree inventory
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
146
The Recreation Division is responsible
for identifying the recreation needs of
our growing community and offering
high-quality programs in diverse inter-
est areas that satisfy those needs. The
division has a committed staff focused
on program and customer satisfaction
while offering all-inclusive opportunities
in outdoor recreation, sports, fitness,
and cultural arts.
The division expands its reach in the
community by offering programs in spe-
cial interest areas such as archery,
stand up paddle boarding, yoga, senior
fitness, and music through contracted
instructors who are professionals in
their respective areas. Community part-
ners also help to enrich existing pro-
grams by applying their knowledge,
skills, and resources whenever possible.
The Parks and Recreation Department
is host to a variety of special events
throughout the year. Examples include:
The Sweet Pea Children’s Run
Children’s Triathlon
Easter Egg Hunt in Lindley Park
Father Daughter Valentine Dance
Breakfast with Santa
Halloween Preschool Party
Senior Health and Fitness Day
Active Aging Week Celebration
Recreation Division
Page 10
Bicycling outing at Burke Park
Curling league at Southside Park
Easter Egg hunt at Lindley Park
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
147
that all necessary requirements for use are
met, including insurance and permits. The
Parks Division determines use fees by as-
sessing the additional maintenance costs
from group use. In 2014, the Recreation
Division developed a use agreement tem-
plate in the fitness and camp category to
help address increases in private entities
conducting business on city property.
Eight new agreements were added in 2014.
Volunteers
Volunteers play an integral role in commu-
nity recreation program implementation
and the Recreation Division is grateful for
the time that our devoted volunteers pro-
vided in 2014. Opportunities included tee-
ball coaches, ice skating instructors, skate
camp instructors, Sweet Pea Children’s
Run and Youth Triathlon course supervi-
sors, Little Explorer Tour hosts, pickleball,
badminton, and curling instructors, and
more! Community members, local busi-
ness owners, parents, and even former
Parks and Recreation Department employ-
ees volunteered 2,395 hours to recreation
programs in 2014.
2014 Recreation Division Highlights
Curling league doubled in size
Drop-in pickleball program increased
and extended through the winter
Increased adult program offerings
Enhanced existing youth programs
Increased partnerships
Department-wide user group schedul-
ing handled by Recreation Division
Recreation Division
Page 11
By the Numbers
162 Unique program offerings
16 Special Events
6,940 Participants in Recreation
programs and events
$136,017 Program revenues
$4,786 Donated to programs
Special events the Recreation
Division participates in include:
Summer Activity Round Up
Lunch on the Lawn
Arbor Day Celebration
Bogert Farmer’s Market
Trick-or-Treating at the Story
Mansion
Victorian Tea at the Story Man-
sion
Kid-A-Palooza
Senior Fitness Fair
User Group Agreements
Community organizations and ath-
letic clubs offer recreation opportu-
nities to thousands of people in city
parks each year through use agree-
ments. The Recreation Division
manages the agreements ensuring
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
148
Facility Rentals
The Recreation Division manages three
popular community buildings that are
home to many of our recreation programs
and events. The Lindley Center, Beall
Park Recreation Center, and Story Man-
sion are also available to the public to
rent for weddings, reunions, meetings,
and other events.
Pavilions
Seven City Parks are home to pavilions of
varying sizes that are available to the
public to rent for their private events.
Pavilions include picnic tables and in
some cases, power outlets. The Recrea-
tion Division works with community
members on their reservation require-
ments which often include special per-
mits. The Parks Division maintains the
pavilions.
Community Gardens
The Parks and Recreation Department
manages 60 garden plots that are avail-
able to community members for a fee, 20
in Westlake Park and 40 in Langhor Park
and 100% of them are reserved. Accord-
ing to the American Community Garden-
ing Association (ACGA), the benefits of
community gardening are not just limited
to growing and eating your own produce,
they can also enhance social interaction,
improve quality of life, increase neighbor-
hood beautification, lower family food
budgets, help with conservation, improve
Recreation Division
Page 12
By the Numbers
356 Beall Rec Center rentals
218 Lindley Center rentals
187 Story Mansion rentals
386 Park pavilion rentals
60 Garden plots reserved
30 User group agreements
$63,047 Facility rental revenue
$18,475 Park pavilion revenue
$2,916 Garden plot revenue
$11,083 User group revenue
2014 Recreation Facility Highlights
New office space added in the Beall
Park Recreation Center
New furnace and interior paint up-
grades completed in the Beall Park
Recreation Center
Lindley Center basement upgraded
and now available for storage
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
149
Bogert Pool
The replacement of the heaters at
Bogert Pool was a huge success! The
1949 steam boiler was replaced by
three new, smaller and more efficient
heaters. Swim lesson participants
and patrons enjoyed the consistent
water temperature. Public comment
on water temperature went from
several complaints daily to a few
scattered comments all season. This
was a giant step in improving
customer satisfaction. The main
drains at Bogert were also replaced,
bringing them into compliance with
federal regulations.
The slides that had not been in
operation since 2011 were taken
down after the end of the 2014
swimming season. A large area of
deck space has been opened up for
public use.
Following the 2014 swimming season,
Bogert pool also received a new coat
of paint. Lifeguards power washed,
acid washed, scrubbed, and applied
two coats of paint to the pool. The
project took one month to complete.
Aquatics
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
Page 13
New boilers at Bogert Pool
City of Bozeman—Parks, Recreation and
Cemetery Department
Bogert pool
Additional deck space
150
Page 14
Aquatics
Aquatics programs include: Water
Fitness, Lap Swim, Recreation
Swim, Open Exercise Area,
Inflatable Float Toy, Swim Lessons,
Lifeguard Classes, Water Safety
Instructor Classes, Hosting
Recreation Programs, Open
Boating, Youth Triathlon,
Snorkeling, and Family Swim.
The Swim Center staff recognizes
and values the important role that
they play in the community. Safety
is our number one priority. Staff
members attend bi-weekly trainings
to keep their skills sharp for when
they need to respond in
emergencies.
With a staff of seventeen guards, we
were able to guard a total of 62,997
patrons in 2014.
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
Swim Center 50-meter pool
Aqua-fit classes are very popular
New pool floor decal for Bogert pool
151
The Cemetery Advisory Board makes recommendations to the City
Commission and the Department Director regarding operation of the Sunset
Hills Cemetery. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the City
Commission to staggered three-year terms with a majority being residents of
the City. Whenever practicable, one of the members of the Board is a
representative of an active, recognized veteran’s organization.
The Tree Advisory Board provides guidance to the City Commission
regarding the City's urban tree program and develops and updates the City
Tree Master Plan. This board is comprised of five members appointed by the
Commission to staggered two-year terms. Members are residents of the City
and either own property or are employed at an establishment within the
City limits. Whenever possible, at least two members are from the following
disciplines: real estate, commercial lending, civil or environmental
engineering, landscape architecture, or landscape construction.
The Trails, Open Space, and Parks Committee was created to review
applications and make recommendations to Commission for funding projects
from the voter-approved Trails, Open Space, and Parks bond via Resolution
4386, utilizing the Application Procedure and Evaluation Criteria approved
by Commission. In 2014, the TOP Committee recommended funding
$4,500,000 for the 54-acre land purchase and development of Story Mill
Community Park and $7,500,000 for the 80-acre land purchase and
development of the Bozeman Sports Park.
Advisory Boards and Committees
City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
Page 15
The Recreation and Park Advisory Board makes recommendations to
the City Commission on policy and procedural matters in the field of recrea-
tion and parks as well as parkland dedications and cash-in-lieu proposals
forwarded during the subdivision re-
view process. The Board consists of
up to fourteen members, including
one city Commission liaison, who
serve three-year staggered terms,
except for the two student members,
who serve one-year terms. Members
represent as many facets of recrea-
tional programs as possible. RPAB meeting at the Lindley Center
152
Parks Division
Integrate the CityWorks software program into the Parks Division
Begin construction for the Bozeman Pond Park Expansion, Bozeman
Creek Enhancement at Bogert Park, and Bozeman Sports Park projects
Complete turf and irrigation improvements at Oak Springs Park
Augment maintenance responsibilities for Meadowcreek and Oak Springs
subdivision parks and new TOP parks (Bozeman Pond Park expansion
and Story Mill Community Park and Bozeman Sports Park sites)
Cemetery Division
Plan for adding a Veterans Administration benefits-eligible area within
Sunset Hills Cemetery
Recreation and Aquatics Divisions
Continue to expand partnerships and contracted instructors allowing for
more specialized program offerings
Hold a Youth Triathlon for 13-15 year olds
Expand program opportunities with the purchase of a 12 passenger van
Complete energy efficiency upgrades and facility improvements at Beall
and Lindley Recreation Centers
Assume management of City Hall community garden site
Expand hours of operation at the Swim Center and Bogert Pool
Forestry Division
Continue Bozeman’s 21-year run being named a Tree City USA
Implement the Urban Forest and Emerald Ash Borer Management Plans
Continue updating and expanding the City’s extensive tree inventory
On the Horizon — 2015
Page 16 City of Bozeman
Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department
153