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GREELEY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN - DRAFT Parks, Trails and Open Space Page 1 Note to Readers: Readers are encouraged to contact Anne Cossitt ([EMAIL REDACTED]) of the Cossitt Consulting Team that prepared this draft if there are comments or suggestions on improving the quality of the information in this report. DRAFT – DRAFT - DRAFT GREELEY NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS – EXISTING CONDITIONS The Butte Silver Bow Comprehensive Park, Trails and Open Space Plan was adopted in 2009 and outlines the existing conditions, community needs and recommendations for the development of park lands, natural areas, heritage sites, recreation facilities and operations and management. This document serves as the source of the data for this report. Parks are generally classified into several different categories: mini parks, neighborhood parks, community parks, special use areas, natural areas and undeveloped areas. The Greeley Neighborhood area is serviced by two types of parks. Neighborhood parks are located within walking and bicycling distance of most users. These parks are generally three to five acres in size and also serve residents within a ¼- mile walking distance. Neighborhood parks provide access to basic recreation opportunities for nearby residents, enhance neighborhood identity and preserve neighborhood open space. Neighborhood parks often include amenities such as playgrounds, basketball courts, turf areas, picnic tables, and benches. Community parks are planned to provide opportunities for structured or active, and passive or informal recreation. Community parks generally include facilities that attract people from the entire community, such as pools, lighted fields and recreation centers. As destinations, these sites require support facilities, such as parking and restrooms. These parks may also include significant open space areas and trails. The minimum size of community parks is generally 15 to 20 acres. Community parks with large facilities, such as golf courses, or extensive open space areas may be considerably larger. Within the boundary of the Greeley Neighborhood planning area, no park land exists. However, within one block of the boundary, two parks are within walking distance of some parts of the neighborhood. Racetrack Park is classified as a neighborhood park and consists of 1.24 acres of land, the largest park in that classification. The park contains amenities such as a half basket- ball court, an ice skating rink, picnic area and playground. Clark Park is considered a community park, with 15.66 acres and consists of a full basketball court, volleyball court, group picnic area and restrooms. Clark Park is the site of a new aquatic splash park in 2010. ---PAGE BREAK--- GREELEY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN - DRAFT Parks, Trails and Open Space Page 2 Elementary schools often provide similar needs as neighborhood parks. The former Greeley School contains outdated equipment and continues to decline in its use as a neighborhood park. This public site was not identified as a facility in the comprehensive park plan. COMMUNITY VISION AND GOALS The Community vision for parks was developed through the planning process for the comprehensive plan. “The Butte-Silver Bow park system is well designed and maintained, with a variety of recreational opportunities provided throughout the year. Parks and open spaces celebrate the area’s unique history. Neighborhood residents are able to walk or bike to nearby parks on safe trails and pathways and all residents of the County enjoy convenient access to the open space areas surrounding them.” To support that vision, the plan identifies five major goals: Goal 1: Create a fun, well designed and well maintained park and recreation system. Goal 2: Provide an efficient system of well-connected parks and open spaces, with access to open space areas throughout Silver Bow County. Goal 3: Offer a variety of recreational opportunities that allow enjoyment of the park system throughout the year. Goal 4: Strengthen Butte-Silver Bow’s identity as a major recreational, environmental and historical attraction by preserving and enhancing unique historical, open space and cultural elements of the area. Goal 5: Establish a management structure that can implement the vision of the park, trails and open space plan in collaboration with the community. FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS The Greeley Neighborhood and surrounding area is identified as underserved park area. Although the adjacent parks do provide some opportunities near the neighborhood, the level of service in this area is low. According to the Comprehensive Plan, this underserved area should identify a site for a neighborhood park. The exact location of this park has not been determined. Executing this recommendation would contribute to goals one, two and three listed in the plan. The plan also recommends for updates to the nearby Clark Park, including an upgrade to the ice rink, a restroom and warming hut and water feature. These updates would reflect efforts for goals one and three. Sources Butte-Silver Bow County Comprehensive Park, Trails and Open Space Plan – 2009. Accessed from Butte-Silver Bow website, July 2010. http://www.co.silverbow.mt.us/departments/additional/documents/BSB_PTOS_01 2609_web.pdf ---PAGE BREAK--- Clark Park County Shops Parrot Park Civic Center Ball Field Racetrack Park Clark Park Skating Rink Elm St Grand Ave Locust St George St Pine St Walnut St Farrell St Texas Ave Wilson Ave Howard Ave Monroe Ave Carolina Ave Lafayette Ave Hayes Ave Shields Ave Silver Bow Blvd I- 15 Bus Wall St Gladstone Ave Dexter St Argyle St Adams Ave Stuart Ave Continental Dr Garfield St Thomas Ave Farragut Ave S Park Pl N Park Pl Thornton Ave Civic Center Rd Georgia Ave Eagle St Phillips Ave Aberdeen St Home Ave E 2nd St Dundee St E Park Pl Bluebird St Hancock Ave Garrison Ave Florida Ave Aberdeen St Adams Ave Thornton Ave Stuart Ave Georgia Ave Garfield St Argyle St Wall St Argyle St Continental Dr Silver Bow Blvd Argyle St Thornton Ave Eagle St Greeley Neighborhood Parks Legend Parks Greeley Neighborhood Roads All Parcels 1/4 mile walking radius ± 0 0.25 0.5 0.125 Miles Data Source: Montana NRIS Montana Department of Revenue