PARKS & RECREATION DIVISION
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
The Parks and Recreation Board was created by the Board of County Commissioners on December 30, 2008. Members of the Parks and Recreation Board were selected in April 2009 to serve as advisors to the County Board of Commissioners and Planning Board on issues presented to the Board related to the parks, trails and recreation. The Board had its first meeting on April 1, 2009 and shortly thereafter began developing a work plan encompassing:
- Cooperating with the Montana Fish, Wildlife to provide new picnic tables and grills at several fishing access points near Pray. (done)
- The feasibility of establishing a Castle Mountain Road/trail system
- Cooperating with the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce to further develop and operate Arch Park County Planning Office
- The feasibility of creating and extending a Carter’s bridge bicycle trail
- Implement a fireworks ban on Greenacres Park
The functions and powers of the Board are:
1. To review current parks and recreation programs and facilities in the county to determine additional needs, and submit recommendations pertaining to parks and recreation guidelines, policies, facilities, or user fees, if any, to the Commissioners;
2. To gather public input on parks and recreation-related long-range plans;
3. To serve in an advisory capacity to the Commissioners for the location, construction, maintenance and funding of parks and recreation facilities;
4. To review all parks and recreation-related matters submitted to the Board by the Commissioners;
5. To make recommendations to the Commissioners on operating and capital budget needs as well as fees and charges, and monitor the recreation and parks budget throughout the year;
6. To inventory un-built county road right-of-ways to be recognized, retained, and improved for the purpose of trails and parks;
7. To make recommendations to the Commissioners on all proposed road abandonments prior to the Commissioner’s decision on abandonment.
8. To periodically review and, if necessary revise and update, the Park County Park Plan and the Livingston/Park County Trails Plan
9. Within the current Commissioner’s goals, objectives, and budget, to perform the above-mentioned duties using the following criteria:
a) Promote maximum utilization of parks, recreation facilities and programs;
b) Enhance the quality of the leisure life of all county residents through parks and recreation programs and services;
c) Provide to county residents as wide a variety of recreational opportunities as possible; and,
10. To review all subdivisions and advise the Planning Board and the Commissioners on subdivision parks and recreation issues.