Home to bountiful biodiversity, proximity to Yellowstone National Park and other outdoor experiences, as well as a robust system of trails and parks within city limits, Bozeman, Montana is within one of the fastest growing regions in the country. As the city grows and adapts to changes in resident desires for parks and trails, climate fluctuations, and increased development pressures, the goal of the Parks, Recreation & Active Transportation (PRAT) Plan is to guide the enhancement, expansion, and long-term evolution of the City’s parkland, trails, and programs in a way that is equitable and deeply rooted in community needs. Agency is leading a team of local and national experts to engage the City and the community in identifying needs and priorities, in order to provide a framework for future investments while protecting Bozeman’s critical habitat and natural resources. The team includes Sanderson Stewart, Alta Planning + Design, Groundprint, BerryDunn, and ETC Institute.
The plan is built upon a thorough and distributed community engagement process alongside comprehensive mapping to understand and identify places where investment could have the largest impact on Bozeman residents, future growth, and land conservation. Engagement methods included more traditional methods of outreach (workshops, pop-up events, Bang the Table, and a statistically valid survey) alongside a collaborative effort between this plan and a Safe Routes to Parks grant, which included community-led conversations with Black residents, Latinx residents, and the disability community. Feedback pointed to continued support for connectivity, safe access between homes and parks and trails, a desire for fun and inviting spaces that adapt to climate change, and a well-maintained system – all of which were combined into six goals that frame the plan’s recommendations.
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