Missoula County Trails Bond Program
Missoula County Trails Bond Program
Intro and thanks1
$3 million allocatedto provide additional opportunities for
recreation, access to public lands, and connections between
communities.
2014 Parks and Trails Bond - Outcome
Voters approved 2014 County Parks and Trails BondFort Missoula,
Park Improvements, Trails3 million was allocated for trail
construction and maintenance
2
Trails!
Trails Bond Program is the means of making this happenAnyone can
propose trail projectsAll trail types are eligible for funding
(commuter, recreational, equestrian, ski, bike, motorized,
etc.)
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Multiple BenefitsHealth and
WellnessRecreationConservationHabitatOpen lands
TransportationSafer routes for pedsEconomicTourismProperty
Value
See American Trails website for publications on trail
benefits
Not just about more niche recreation.
Trails have many benefits for communities.
See American Trails website for publications on trail
benefits
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Leveraging funds
TBP funding will be one of several funding sourcesOther sources:
Grants: Rec Trails Prgm, Fed Lands Access Prgm, Transportation
Alternatives (formerly CTEP), TIGERPrivate donations,
fundraising
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Program design
Ci-Co Open Space Bond Program is primary model Also: Community
Transportation Enhancement Program, Recreational Trails Program,
and the Transportation Alternatives ProgramArapahoe County, CO
trails program6
Project criteria
Five eval criteria drawn from federal grant programs mentioned
and other regional trail funding programsSize of box reflects
emphasis given to criteria, scoring application7
Greatest number of compatible recreation purposes and trail
usesCreates links to places people are already going to for work,
school, recreationADA access
8
Project aligns with existing plans and policiesUser demand is
evident: letters of supportIdentified volunteers, donated services,
materials or laborFunding from other public or private
sourcesPartnerships are created or reinforced through the
project9
Property owners blessingDetailed timeline shows
viabilityDetailed construction budget10
Design
Provides cultural or natural resource interpretation or
educationProtects and enhances natural resourcesIncreases public
safetyTrails dont have to be on county owned land
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Maintenance
Maintenance plan in placeMaintenance budget in place
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Application process
Applications are accepted on rolling basisLevel I: identifies
fundamental project elements are in placeLevel II: demonstrates
five bond criteria have been satisfied13
Application process
Program staff and the Parks & Trails Advisory Board review
L-II applicationApplicant leads the P & T Advisory Board and
County Commissioners on a tour of the project siteApplications are
scored based on meeting criteria. No minimum requiredCommissioners
hold a public hearing and vote14
Qualifying expenses
QUALIFYING: construction and associated costs, design,
engineering, materials NON-QUALIFYING: Maintenance15
Missoula County Parks, Trails, and Open Lands ProgramJohn
Stegmaier, [email protected]
