Active Transportation Plan 2016 - 2020 Denver Indian Health & Family Services, Inc. 1633 Fillmore , Suite GL-1 Denver, Colorado 80206 Telephone: 303-953-6600 Park County Fax: 303-781-4333 414 East Callender Street www.dihfs.info Livingston, MT 59047 Telephone 406.222.4106 Approved by the Park County Fax 406.222.4160 Commission on February 25, 2016 www.parkcounty.org Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 County Demographics and Background ..................................................................................................................... 5 Parks and Recreation Board ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Historical Preservation ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Purpose and Vision................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Planning Process and Community Outreach .......................................................................................................... 10 Strategic Priorities ............................................................................................................................................................... 13 Types of Parks, Trails and Recreation Facilities ................................................................................................... 17 Existing Parks, Trails and Recreation Facilities .................................................................................................... 17 Alignment with Existing Local Plans and Policies ............................................................................................... 29 Future Development and Maintenance Recommendations ........................................................................... 34 Communication/Coordination among Area Stakeholders ......................................................................... 36 Funding Opportunities ................................................................................................................................................. 36 Recent and Current Active Transportation Projects ...................................................................................... 40 Existing Recommendations, Policies and Regulations ...................................................................................... 44 Tables: A. Active Transportation Plan Public Comment and Update Implementation Schedule Figures: 1. Park County Unique Facilities and Experiences 2. Park County, Montana 3. Park County Active Transportation Areas 4. Arch Park – Gardiner, Montana 5. Confluence Park – Gardiner, Montana 6. Green Acres Park – Livingston, Montana 7. Silver Gate Park – Silver Gate, Montana Appendices: Appendix A Notice of Public Comment Period Appendix B Park County Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey Appendix C Public Comment Received Appendix D Active Transportation GIS Park County Active Transportation Plan 2016 – 2020 ACRONYMS AASTHO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ADA Americans with Disabilities Act ATP Active Transportation Plan BACI Building Active Communities Initiative BLM Bureau of Land Management BNSF Burlington Northern Santa Fe DNRC Department of Natural Resources and Conservation EDA Economic Development Agency EPA Environmental Protection Agency FHWA Federal Highway Association FLAP Federal Lands Access Program FLTP Federal Lands Transportation Program FLTTP Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation Program FY fiscal year GVLT Gallatin Valley Land Trust GW&SD Gardiner Water and Sewer District HPC Historic Preservation Commission LWCF Land and Water Conservation Fund MAP Moving Ahead for Progress MCA Montana Code Annotated MDT Montana Department of Transportation MFWCT Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust MFWP Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks NPS National Park Service NRT National Recreation Trails PCATP Park County Active Transportation Plan PCCF Park County Community Foundation PCGP Park County Growth Policy PRPP Park Roads and Parkway Programs RID Rural Improvement District RP reference point RTC Rails-to-Trails Conservancy RTCA Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program SHPO State Historic Preservation Office TA Transportation Alternatives TIGER Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery UCF Urban and Community Forestry USDOT United States Department of Transportation USFS United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service YNP Yellowstone National Park YNPSPT Yellowstone National Park South Pedestrian Trail 1 | P a g e Park County Active Transportation Plan 2016 – 2020 Executive Summary Parks, trails and recreation facilities are basic components that build the foundation of a community. They provide areas for group activities, intergenerational activities, personal reflection and exercise. They also provide a means to maintain natural and historic features and provide a way to preserve cultural heritage and the quality of life in a community. Trails and parks bring many benefits to a community - functional transportation, support for well planned development and tourism, healthy recreation and opportunities for children to explore the world safely. An active alternate transportation community includes individuals of all ages and abilities. By no means exclusive to committed athletes, pathways and parks attract children, mothers pushing strollers, seniors out for a morning walk, casual tourists, joggers and others drawn by safe routes and outdoor Additional benefits of a trails and pathways system: Safe travel routes for children and adults Enhanced quality of life and health for all ages Increased traffic for local businesses Enhanced sense of community Additional access to National Forest and other state agency trails system Consistently ranked as one of the top ten most popular destinations in the State of Montana,1 Park County is experiencing steady community growth and economic prosperity with an influx of residential and commercial development and a desire to continue to attract the significant numbers of tourists that pass through the region each year. At the forefront of regional and statewide attractiveness, outdoor recreation opportunities - especially in alternative forms of transportation including bicycle and foot traffic - are becoming increasingly sought after. Rich with exceptional natural resources and recreational opportunities, outdoor amenities - and the health and societal benefits they provide – are a valued feature for Park County lifestyles and heritage. Outdoor recreation opportunities also have a measurable impact on state and local economies and can have important non-economic benefits as well. With heightened awareness of the serious health and social issues confronting Americans today, it is also important to better understand the health and social benefits associated with parks and recreation beyond their simple economic contributions. The Park County Active Transportation Plan (PCATP) is a consolidation of two existing plans – the Park County Park Plan – September 2007 and the Livingston/Park County Trails Plan – November 2006. It is also updated to include the existing facilities in the 1 Montana Top 10 Attractions. Best Places to Visit in Montana. Top Ten Visitor Attractions in Montana. Northwest US Travel. http://gonw.about.com/od/attractionsmt/tp/Top-Montana-Attractions.html. Accessed May 2014. 2 | P a g e Park County Active Transportation Plan 2016 – 2020 County; types of parks and recreational facilities; discussion of existing regulations; management strategies of parks, trails and recreation facilities; recommendations for future community needs and desires; and, ideas to stimulate discussions about goals and the obtainment of those goals. The objective of formalizing the PCATP is to create thoughtful inter- relationships with community priorities and opportunities as well as to maximize resources already available. This document serves as an effort to focus on how Park County and the Park County Parks and Recreation Board can function better to serve its population through four priority areas. Each priority is a broad statement of intent, which serves as a central focus for associated goals and objectives. The four PCATP strategic priorities include: Healthy and Safe Alternative Transportation Promotion Parks, Trails and Recreation Network Opportunities Effective Collaboration and Management Positive Economic Competitiveness This strategic planning document serves as a road map for the County for the next five years, and is supplemented by relative local and regional transportation plans. The intent is to update the plan with minor edits annually at a regularly scheduled Parks and Recreation Board meeting, with a major review and update every five years. 3 | P a g e Park County Active Transportation Plan 2016 – 2020 Figure 1. Park County Unique Facilities and Experiences 4 | P a g e Park County Active Transportation Plan 2016 – 2020 County Demographics and Background Park County is located in south central Montana and is surrounded by the Absaroka/Beartooth Range, the Crazy