bozemandailychronicle.comhttp://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/letters_to_editor/article_8e654af8-b047-11e3-831f-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=print

By By AnneBanks

Letter to the editor: Urge city to support plan for Story MillCommunity Park

Posted:

Thursday, March 20, 2014 9:51 am

Back in the early 2000s when I was on the city Recreation andParks Advisory Board, we reviewed the proposed Story Milldevelopment, which featured 1,200 dwelling units – houses andapartments – and 140,000 square feet of commercial space. Fortunately for us, the development never got off theground. Now, 10 years later, The Trust for Public Land has rescued the 54-acre site from bankruptcy limbo – or asimilar development – and is working with community partners to transform it into the Story Mill Community Park.

The park will delight a wide array of recreationists. The diversity of participants at both the community workshop ayear ago and the TOP committee hearing last month was eye-opening: neighborhood mothers wanting play space forkids; bird and wildlife enthusiasts citing the numerous species, both migratory and resident, spotted there; trailadvocates showing possible linkages; outdoor educators already using the area; water and wetlands specialistspromoting restoration and cleanup, and more.

Story Mill Community Park will meet these needs: playground and play fields in an underserved part of town; awetlands sanctuary for birds and wildlife; trails located to protect the wetlands while providing links to the Story Milland “M” trails; a living classroom for outdoor education; and enhancement of water quality in Bozeman Creek and theEast Gallatin.

To do all this, the Trust for Public Land is asking the City Commission to approve $4.5 million from the Trails, OpenSpace and Parks bond: $2.65 million for the city to acquire the 54-acre site and $1.65 million to develop the park. Thebest part of the deal: TPL will match the $1.65 million with $3.75 million in private contributions, a 2:1 match.

Let’s not pass up this opportunity! Urge the commission to approve the Story Mill Community Park proposal now.

Anne Banks

Bozeman

Letter to the editor: Community parkwould benefit city

By Nelle Devitt

Posted: Sunday, March 23, 2014 12:00 am

As a resident of Northeast Bozeman and a mother of two small children, I am writing in support

of the Story Mill Community Park. The proposed park consists of 54 acres and includes part of

the East Gallatin River, Bozeman Creek and wetlands and will be the largest community park inBozeman. To make this unique park a reality, the proposal seeks funds from the city's parks and

trails bond measure. The city commission should take note that this park will be beneficial, not

just to the northeast neighborhood, but to the entire Bozeman community, and we ask that they

supply the funds and take action to make the park a reality.

Bozeman has grown over the years and the addition of another park in town would be

appreciated and used for years to come. My two young explorers and their friends would benefit

from having a large, centrally located park studded with trails, streams and wildlife. Futuregrowth is inevitable and the city needs to accommodate its residents with more parks and green

space, within city limits. The park will serve as a link to popular city trails, promote walkability

and reduce traffic; acting as a safe route for families traveling downtown, to work and school via

foot and bicycle.

The Trails, Open Space and Parks Committee has already approved the proposal, and has

recommended the city commission agree to the park proposal at their meeting on March 24.

Bozeman families – I urge you to support this proposal. Let the commission know that the Story

Mill Park is what Bozeman residents need to guarantee that our community values and quality of

life are passed on to our children and future generations.

Let’s hope the commission has the foresight to recognize the importance and value of this park.

Nelle Devitt

Bozeman

Story Mill Community Park gets $4.5M,

other projects on the horizon By ERIN SCHATTAUER, Chronicle Staff Writer Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 7:30 pm

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

The Story Mill spur trail is seen near the Story Mill property on Tuesday, March 25. A proposal to build a community

park on the old Story Mill property received $4.5 million in Trails, Open Spaces and Parks bond money on Monday

night.

Transforming the old Story Mill site into a community park got support from the Bozeman City Commission on Monday night to the tune of $4.5 million, leaving $8.415 million for other projects seeking parks and trails bond money.

From trails to a community education farm to enhancing water quality, the proposed Story Mill Community Park could offer something for just about everyone, project supporters said.

Representatives from Gallatin Valley Farm to School, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Sacajawea Audubon Society, Bozeman Library Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and more stepped up to voice their support of the project prior to the commission's vote.

The proposed Story Mill Community Park is the latest to receive funding from the Trails, Open Spaces and Parks bond. It is also the project to receive the largest amount of money through the program.

The Trust for Public Land owns 62 acres at the Story Mill site north of town. Its proposal includes selling 54 acres to the city for the park and retaining 8 acres to explore the potential to build affordable housing for what applicants called a “pocket neighborhood.”

Plans for the money include $2.65 million for the land and $1.85 million for park design, construction and stewardship.

The Trust for Public Land will put in an additional $3.7 million for park design, construction and maintenance and plans to spend about $500,000 for a multi-year wetlands and river restoration project.

Those spearheading the project say plans include restoration of the largest remaining wetland complex in Bozeman. The Trust for Public Land plans to improve wildlife habitat and enhance water quality.

Conceptual plans include wetland areas, orchard gardens, a playground, picnic shelters, a dog park and playing fields.

Some of the old farmstead buildings on the southern portion of the site will be torn down, while others deemed historically significant will remain. Trust for Public Land project manager Maddy Pope said they would like to incorporate the cultural heritage into the park design.

The park will also connect to existing trails and plans include the construction of new ones throughout the park. The park will connect the Story Mill Spur Trail and Bond Street. The new park will also be a link to the new trail to the “M” and Drinking Horse trails.

The bond money was meant for a park like this, Deputy Mayor Carson Taylor said.

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

Bozeman Creek is seen running through

the Story Mill property on Tuesday, March

25. A proposal to build a community park

on the old Story Mill property received $4.5

million in Trails, Open Spaces and Parks

bond money on Monday night.

“I think this is the premier park that was envisioned by the bond when it was passed,” Taylor said.

Mayor Jeff Krauss said one of the reasons he supports the project is because it will begin to clean up the East Gallatin River.

Commissioner Chris Mehl said he supports the project, in part, “to make good what had been bad” in that area.

While he supported the bond and hoped for projects that would be like this, Mehl said he was doubly satisfied that it has happened at the site of the former Bridger View Mobile Home Park where people lost their homes. Residents there were asked to leave to make room for a housing development and commercial space that never came to fruition.

Other projects

With the approval of the Story Mill Community Park, $8.415 million in parks and trails bond money remains.

One more project, a proposal for a multi-million dollar sports complex, is expected to go before City Commission on April 7.

Initially, almost $9 million was being requested for that project, but now the groups involved are asking for less money.

The bond committee met last week and endorsed a request for $7.5 million to build a sports complex.

Meanwhile, a Bozeman resident has also drawn up a proposal to request the city's help to improve water quality conditions in Bozeman Creek and build a community park.

Bart Manion has submitted an application asking for $150,000 from the bond to clean up Bozeman Creek and build the Bozeman Creek Community Park on land that he currently owns in the 400 block of East Lincoln Street. If money is secured, the land would be separated from his property and given to the city for a park.

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

The Story Mill spur trail is seen near the

Story Mill property on Tuesday, March 25.

A proposal to build a community park on

the old Story Mill property received $4.5

million in Trails, Open Spaces and Parks

bond money on Monday night.

The park would be located between the Gallagator Trail and Burke Park trails and would be the city's first community park to specifically address environmental impacts to Bozeman Creek, Manion said in his proposal.

Parks and trails bond program manager Jeff Graff said the project could be considered at a future committee meeting.

Other projects that have received funding include:

$600,000 for a bicycle-pedestrian path along Montana Highway 86 from the Story Mill Road to the “M” and Drinking Horse Mountain trails

$1.045 million to buy land and create a 9-acre extension to the Bozeman Pond Park on Fowler Lane. The project is a joint effort between the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Run Dog Run, ERA Landmark and HAVEN, which plans to build a new shelter for victims of domestic violence in the area

$440,000 to reconstruct about 800 feet of Bozeman Creek through Bogert Park to return it to a more natural condition

Erin Schattauer can be reached at 582-2628 or eschattauer@dailychronicle.com. She's on Twitter at @erinschattauer.

City asks for help designing one of Bozeman's biggest parks Shellye Leggett, Reporter, sleggett@ktvm.com

POSTED: 6:33 PM Sep 17 2014 UPDATED: 11:23 PM Sep 17 2014

VIDEO LINK: http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/city-officials-share-construction-plans-for-one-of-

bozemans-biggest-parks/28114430

BOZEMAN, Mont. -

In March, the Bozeman City Commission approved the purchase and construction of a new city park

off of East Griffin Drive.

The park will be two miles north of downtown, near the Story Mill, and stretches along Bozeman

Creek and the East Gallatin River.

The Trust for Public Land already has a conceptual plan drawn up.

This piece of land is set to turn into one of Bozeman's largest parks, after city officials approved the

purchase of 54 acres near the old Story Mill, in March, using the Parks and Trails Bond.

Maddy Pope, with The Trust for Public Land, showed what they're planning for the park-- features

like trails, picnic shelters, a playground and a fenced dog park.

She said this project is something special.

"This site has a history of, that goes back into the earliest settlement of the town of Bozeman with

the Nelson story flour mill, the railroads, it really tells in its deepest roots the history of agriculture in

the Gallatin Valley," said Pope.

She also said that the plan was completely approved and they're looking for local comments on what

they want to see put in the park.

Neighbors we spoke to like Troy Lanes said they're excited to see a few changes, but would also like

to keep the property close to the way it is now.

"What I'd like to see honestly is just a couple of trails put through there maybe a couple of benches

and leave it as it because it really is a beautiful piece of property," said Lanes.

Pope said the Story Mill Community Park is a way to bring the growing city of Bozeman closer.

"Parks build community, they provide a place for people to come together and to share experiences

and reflect the quality of life," said Pope.

As for when locals can expect to enjoy the new park, Pope said they hope for a ground breaking in

2015 and a ribbon cutting in 2017.

Pope said the Story Mill Community Park Project will cost roughly $5.5 million.

Around $3 million, she said, will come from privately raised funds and the rest from the voter-

approved parks and trails bond.

The Trust for Public Land is working with the city to hold a master planning session to get public

input on the conceptual park design.

The session is on October 1st at the Emerson Cultural Center, or those interested can submit

comments here on their website.

Copyright 2014 by KECI, KCFW, KTVM. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,

broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

bozemandailychronicle.comhttp://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/city/bozeman-set-to-approve-land-purchase-for-story-mill-park/article_ecca5a06-8194-11e4-8140-1f7c22c1dcfe.html

Bozeman set to approve land purchase for Story Mill Park

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

Bozeman City Commission will be voting Monday on the purchase of the land for the Story Mill CommunityPark using funds from the city's Trails, Open Space and Parks program.

Eric Dietrich, Chronicle Staff Writer

Posted: Thursday, December 11, 2014 6:00 pm

Related Stories

Related Documents

Story Mill Park conceptual plan

Plans for an $8.2 million "flagship" city park planned near Story Mill are poised to move forward,with the Bozeman City Commission set to approve the purchase of 55 acres of land from the Trustfor Public Land.

Using money from the trails, open spaces and parks bond approved by voters in 2012, currentplans call for improvements like picnic shelters, climbing boulders and playing fields in the park'snorthern section off Bridger Drive.

Its southern portion, mostly between East Griffin Drive and the Story Mill spur trail, will be preserved as a natural areawith some trail development. The park will also serve as a hub for the city's trail network, connecting to the Story Millspur trail, the East Gallatin Recreation Area and a planned connection to the "M" and Drinking Horse Mountain trails.

The intent, said Parks and Recreation Director Mitch Overton, is to develop the land into a "flagship community park"with "a little something for everyone."

The property, adjacent to land where Nelson Story first built a towering grain elevator in the 1880s, has a colorfulhistory.

In the 2000s, a developer bought much of the surrounding land with plans to build the most ambitious housingdevelopment in the city's history — forcing 92 families out of homes in the Bridger View Trailer court in the process.However, following the 2008 housing crash, the property owner declared bankruptcy amid foreclosure proceedings.

The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit conservation group, purchased the property in 2012 after the passageof the parks bond, said project manager Maddy Pope. The nonprofit wanted to take the property off the private marketso the city could decide whether it wanted to pursue developing a park, she said, noting it is now planning to pass theland on to the city for its original purchase price.

"This was a hub of industry and agriculture," she said. "There's a tremendous cultural history.

"From an ecological standpoint," Pope added, "it's a very significant area for wildlife." A full half mile of the EastGallatin River flows through the site, she said.

Pope also said that the trust has already begun work to restore wetlands between the East Gallatin River andBozeman Creek, which meet along the proposed park's eastern edge.

Related Story

Nelson Story – Hero, scoundrel legend

Of all Bozeman's founding fathers, none left a greater imprint than Nelson Story.

In addition to removing concrete riprap from along the river's banks, the property has beenreshaped to double the amount of wetlands to 14 acres, she said. The hope is that thewetlands will act as natural filtration systems for the streams, both of which fail at times tomeet state water quality standards.

City commissioners will be asked at their Monday meeting to authorize the purchase of the park land from TPL for$2.65 million. Another $1.85 million in parks bond money has been allocated by the commission for parkimprovements, and TPL has also committed to contribute $3.7 million in cash and in-kind contributions toward

construction.

City Manager Chris Kukulski noted that working with TPL means the city will be able to leverage the parks bond funds,providing the public with more bang for its investment.

"We're not getting a $4.5 million park — we're getting an $8 million park," he said.

The $15 million trails, open spaces and parks bond was approved by voters in 2012. The Story Mill Community Parkis the second-largest project funded by the bond, after an 80-acre athletic complex under development on the westside of town. City commissioners have approved spending up to $7.5 million in bond money on that project.

The park could be open to the public in summer 2016 or spring 2017, according to Overton.

© 2014 Bozeman Daily Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Editorial: Parks, trails an integral part of life in

Bozeman

Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2014 10:08 am

The Trust for Public Land, city staff and city commissioners are to be congratulated for putting together a deal that will leverage private money with Trails, Open Space and Parks bond money to create a 55-acre park near Story Mill. This promises to be the jewel of the city’s park system one day.

The City Commission recently approved spending $2.65 million in bond money to purchase the land from the TPL and another $1.85 million to develop park amenities. The TPL, a private nonprofit group, purchased the land after a private developer that had big plans for the area went bankrupt during the housing market crash stemming from the 2008-2009 recession.

The TPL has committed another $3.7 million towards the park’s development, all of which will add up to an $8.2 million park that will include picnic shelters, climbing boulders, ponds, trails and a nature center along a half mile of the East Gallatin River.

The park will be easily accessible by foot and bicycle from the city center and will act as a hub for the city’s trail system.

With a minimum of public expense, the park will offer something for everyone. And it should also mollify some who objected when the city committed $7.5 million – fully half of the $15 million bond issue OK’d by voters in 2012 – to develop a sports complex that will benefit mostly those who participate in organized sports.

Bozeman has enjoyed the most robust growth of any of Montana’s cities in recent years. But while growth can yield many economic benefits, without planning, it can also gobble up open space and other amenities that make the community a desirable place to live.

Integral to that urban quality of life is an extensive parks and trail system that offers recreational opportunities right at our doorstep.

In the future, the park near Story Mill could become a centerpiece of that system and all involved in bringing it about are commended for getting it done.

bozemandailychronicle.comhttp://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/guest_columnists/community-park-will-improve-water-quality-too/article_842a29e4-bb64-51ce-b0ca-2bbd4b9250a7.html

Community park will improve water quality, too

Most of the time, nature knows best.

As public works director, most of my department’s time is spent building roads, water treatment facilities, curbs andother vital infrastructure our community needs every day. It’s not often that we get to participate in a project to restorea portion of our community to the way it was many years ago, but that is exactly what happened at the new Story MillCommunity Park.

Our community stormwater system has been in the news over the past few months. As we settle into a new fundingstructure for the utility, we will be shifting our focus from assessing the issues with our existing system to developingsolutions. (And for those of you who aren’t aware, stormwater is any water that flows from rooftops, driveways, yards,etc. that makes its way into our curb intakes and settling ponds and eventually into our urban waterways. Thosewaterways include Mandeville Creek, Bozeman Creek, and the East Gallatin to name a few.)

While looking ahead at how to treat some of our community stormwater, the Story Mill Community Park was alsocoming to fruition at the same time and offered a unique opportunity to use a park to help us improve our urban waterquality.

As the Story Mill Community Park takes shape, the Bozeman community will be able to enjoy 55 acres of parklandchock full of trails, playgrounds, ball fields, wildlife watching opportunities and restored wetlands. Over 14 acres ofwetlands are being restored in this process, which will be a boon to the Bozeman community for several reasons. Notonly does this area provide vital flora and fauna habitat that had been sacrificed previously, but it creates a uniqueopportunity for the park to also serve as part of the city’s stormwater infrastructure.

A large backwater slough is being created in the wetland restoration area of Story Mill Community Park, which will actas a natural water filtration device. During times of high water, the slough will fill up with water and allow that water tosit for a period of time. While this water from our urban waterways is being held in the slough, particulate mattersettles out and is collected in the slough, acting as a natural filter. This concept may seem simple, but it is a hugeadvent to improving our urban water quality by using good old Mother Nature.

The City of Bozeman is pleased to be working with The Trust for Public Land, Greater Gallatin Watershed Council,Gallatin Local Water Quality District and Trout Unlimited on this project. Montana State University students arestudying the restoration project and Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Department of Environmental Quality havesupported the effort. It has been an excellent community collaboration. While the trails, recreational fields andchildren’s play equipment will likely get the lion’s share of attention when the new Story Mill Community Park iscompleted, I hope you’ll take a stroll through the wetlands at your leisure and recognize some of the subtle, yet vital,uses this public land provides.

Craig Woolard is Bozeman’s public works director.