EBS STAFF
There are 470 acres of undeveloped land just east of Highland Avenue where many Bozeman residents use trails throughout the year. Owned by Bozeman Health, the land is leased to a local rancher and Montana State University to support their Foundation Seed Program, and available to the public for biking and hiking in the summer, and groomed cross-country skiing in the winter. Bozeman Health’s Subarea Plan, a proposal to change the future land use designation to preserve the parcel for public use, was presented to the public in 2022. On Aug. 20, the Bozeman City Commission approved the plan unanimously. The change in land use would allow more opportunities for recreation in Bozeman.
“These include ensuring public access with linear parks that create a transitional buffer to and improved viewsheds in the natural area, an active transportation network as an alternative to city streets bisecting the Glen, consideration of a new trailhead off Kagy Boulevard to increase ease of access to the property and requesting the relocation of a commercial land use currently envisioned for that area,” Bozeman Health explained in an Aug. 21 press release.
The nonprofit Gallatin Valley Land Trust, which helps Bozeman Health manage these lands, noted the value they hold in their ongoing partnership with Bozeman Health, the City of Bozeman and Bridger Ski Foundation—which grooms the ski trails in the winter—to maintain public access to the land.
“We share a commitment to the long-term protection of this unique area so the community can continue to benefit from the physical and mental health benefits of time on trails and outdoors, and we are excited to see the dedicated open space not only secured but also expanded by this updated plan,” stated Chet Work, GVLT Executive Director.
Bozeman Health CEO Kathryn Bertany added that a small fraction of the footprint is identified for potential future medical and complementary commercial services adjacent to the hospital campus, only “if such development becomes necessary to serve the health of our community.”
