Parks and Trails District Implementation

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2022-23 City Park Snow Removal Maps for Property Owner Associations & Management Companies

The City Park & Trails District provides winter maintenance operations and snow removal services for all City Parks located in subdivisions. The Parks Division utilizes the combined efforts of City Parks staff and City managed Contractors to complete all snow removal in these areas. Please contact the Parks Department directly if you have questions about snow removal services or would like maps showing City Park snow removal routes. Phone: 406-582-2290 Email: parkstrails@bozeman.net.

Information for Property Owner Associations and Management Companies

We are grateful that citizens of Bozeman voted May 5, 2020, to invest in a parks and trails district that provides a dedicated source of funding for maintaining and improving our City's parks and trails. Every penny that goes into the Parks & Trails District will be spent on parks and trails in our community. Thank you!

Parks & Trails District Implementation Letter 2020

2021 Updates for Property Owner Associations and Management Companies

The Parks & Recreation Department remains committed to providing an outstanding Parks and Trails system for the citizens of Bozeman. In year two of the District, the City will continue to implement the five year transition plan with a focus on management of park lands using City managed service contracts for landscape and irrigation maintenance. For more information on the implementation and status of the District in the Cities Subdivision Parks see the letters to Bozeman Property Owners’ Associations and Property Managers. Thank you!

Parks & Trails District Update Letter 2021

2021-22-23 Parks & Trails District Community Enhancement Project Application Form

The City of Bozeman Parks & Recreation Department is excited to develop partnerships and accomplish projects to build and maintain our parks, trails and community assets to the highest standards. If you would like to assist or provide input on the development of parks projects or maintenance in a City Subdivision park near you let us know! Please fill out the Parks & Trails District Community Enhancement Project Application form so that your request can be assessed and evaluated. We look forward to working with the community to ensure the best care of our City Parks and Trails!

Parks Trails District Project Application Form 2021-22-23

FAQs

Can subdivisions continue their current higher level of service and pursue improvements and enhancements to parks?

Yes! We recognize and appreciate subdivisions that value the quality of their parks. So do we! We have hired a Contract Coordinate to coordinate, communicate and devote time to ensure collaboration during the transition and beyond. We want to remove obstacles so that you can devote your energy to park improvements. To begin this process the City would ask that the POAs/HOAs and their property managers submit a Parks and Trails District Community Enhancement Project Application Form. Parks Planning and Development staff will then be working with you to review, asses and evaluate the next steps in the process. or set up these documents.
Do you have a maintenance plan specific to each subdivision?

The Parks and Trails District estimated tax assessment is based on detailed, mapped inventory and life cycle costs of all park improvements across the City of Bozeman. The City has estimates for maintenance costs per square foot of parkland. We will be working with you to understand the current maintenance needs of each specific park based on the improvements it has such as playgrounds, area of grass to be mowed, number of trees, and current condition of trails and other improvements.
Parkland in Bozeman is frequently adjacent to privately owned "Open Space" parcels. What are the implications and how will that be managed?

Staff understands that in many subdivisions irrigation systems and water sources (wells) are unified across parcels with different ownership and future maintenance responsibility (the City will be responsible for Parks but not Open Space parcels). Depending on where the water source is located and who owns the water rights, it is likely that POAs/HOAs will be reimbursed for a proportion of irrigation and water bill costs based on maps that clearly delineate Open Space and Park parcels. Over the long term, Parks Planning and Development staff will be requiring that new subdivisions rectify this issue and we may work to separate these features within existing parks.
Specifically, how much can the owners expect their taxes to increase?

Property owners may contact the City Finance Department to find out their fiscal year 2021 tax assessment which will be sent in September 2020. The current recommendation from the City Manager scheduled to be reviewed by the City Commission on Monday, June 15, 2020, would increase taxes on the average 7500 square-foot lot by $103.42 in 2020 (or $8.62 per month).
What is the transition plan?

In year one, City Parks requests that you continue with your usual maintenance protocols and contracts. We will provide reimbursement for expenses up to our current level of service. Over the course of the next five years, the Parks Division will gradually increase its maintenance capacity and set up contracts for maintenance to achieve the "Silver" level standard adopted by the City Commission. Throughout this process, we will coordinate with Property Owner Associations and their Property Management Companies.
When does the City assume maintenance responsibility?

The District goes into effect as of July 1, 2020 and City of Bozeman Parks Division maintenance services or support for services will gradually increase over a 5 year period.
Will the City contract with our current maintenance contractors?

The City cannot assume contracts already in place. In year one, (July 2020- April 2021) we requested that you continue your operations/maintenance and we will reimburse Property or Home Owner Associations for expenses up to our current level of service. In year two (April 2021- Present) the City will continue to implement the five year transition plan with a focus on management of park lands using City managed service contracts for landscape and irrigation maintenance. Over the next five years, the Parks Division's capacity will gradually increase and we expect to set up larger maintenance contracts with qualified local contractors. Subdivisions also have the option of augmenting the City's contribution and providing additional maintenance and improvements. To begin this process the City would ask that the POAs/HOAs and their property managers submit a Parks and Trails District Community Enhancement Project Application Form.