The City of Bozeman and The Trust for Public Land Team Up to Celebrate Groundbreaking at Story Mill Community Park on June 24

The City of Bozeman and The Trust for Public Land invite all Bozeman residents to a free celebration marking the historic ground-breaking of Story Mill Community Park on Saturday, June 24.

Once construction is completed, the 60-acre park will be the largest natural park in Bozeman, connecting area trails with downtown Bozeman through the northeast neighborhood and Story Mill Spur Trail.

The groundbreaking event will feature guided tours of the property, games and activities for children, food trucks, music, and a celebration of the many partners who worked together to make this new park a reality. Mayor Carson Taylor is expected to make brief remarks and The Trust for Public Land will share a preview of the park design with attendees.

The Story Mill Community Park project began in 2012 and will officially open to the public in the fall of 2018. The City of Bozeman has dedicated $4.5 million from the 2012 Parks & Trails Bond. Thanks to lead support from the Kendeda Fund, LOR Foundation, Mysun Charitable Foundation, and others, The Trust for Public Land has already raised more than $10 million in private donations. In conjunction with celebrating the milestone of groundbreaking, The Trust for Public Land, its partners and local volunteers, are kicking off a final push to raise the remaining $1.5 million needed by Spring 2018 to complete construction of the park. Community members can contribute online at support.tpl.org/storymill.

“Protecting parks and trails are core to our vision of a safe, sustainable and healthy Bozeman.” said Mayor Taylor. “Groundbreaking at Story Mill Community Park is an important milestone in advancing that vision. This park will be a special place to recreate and celebrate our shared heritage for generations to come.”

“When children play on this land, hike these trails, and explore and enjoy nature, it inspires a lifelong love appreciation of the outdoors. We are so honored to have had a hand in protecting this land and creating a park that celebrates the rich history and culture associated with Story Mill Community Park.” said Maddy Pope, Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land.

The completed park, which will sit adjacent to the old Story Mill, will include an adventure playground, climbing boulder, a community center, outdoor amphitheater, picnic pavilions, learning garden and edible food forest trail, and 1-acre off-leash dog park, among other features. The southern portion of the park will include ¾ of a mile of the East Gallatin River and a 40-acre nature sanctuary, where visitors can learn about the 100+ species of birds and other wildlife in the area.

More than twenty local organizations helped facilitate the acquisition and planning of Story Mill Community Park, including the Sacajawea Audubon Society, Montana Conservation Corps, Greater Gallatin Watershed Council, and Run Dog Run.

“We are grateful to have been a part of the coalition that helped build out a vision and bring this project to fruition. The Trust for Public Land has protected and restored an extraordinary place for wildlife and birds to flourish within our urban core,” said Paulette Epple, Sacajawea Audubon Society Board Member.

Who: Mayor Carson Taylor and Bozeman residents of all ages
What: Groundbreaking for Story Mill Community Park
Where: 700 Bridger Drive, Bozeman, MT (follow signs to the parking area)
When: June 24, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon
Why: To celebrate this important milestone and help meet the final fundraising challenge.