Opinion
Signs to mark, organize Big Sky
Published
12 years agoon
Posted By
AdminBy Taylor Anderson, Big Sky Weekly Assistant Editor
A group of Montana residents and business owners has gathered for the past few months to essentially define the borders of Big Sky, Montana. Well, define it for first-time travelers, at least.
The wayfinding, signage and entryway monument group discussed how and what aspects of the town it would mark at a Thursday, Jan. 19 meeting in the Big Sky Chapel.
The group, accompanied Thursday by a member of the Montana Department of Transportation representative Lee Alt, decided to roughly follow resort tax and zoning district boundaries to begin marking the town.
The discussion revolved around establishing signage that would help new visitors understand the sometimes-complex setup of Big Sky.
“It’s the perception of the community from a visitor,” committee organizer Ryan Hamilton said. “They don’t care if something’s called Meadow Village Center, Town Center, Mountain Village. They just want to know how to get around.”
Big Sky services would be marked on signs starting at the Jack Smith Bridge to the north in the Gallatin Canyon and the Corral and Rainbow Ranch in the canyon to the south.
In the south, where drivers are exposed to more development indicating a town before approaching Route 64, signs will tell drivers they’ve entered the town. North boundary signs will follow the current, DOT-sponsored sign that indicates there are six miles before the town begins.
The group decided it would follow a broad and refined model for signs depending on where they are in town. It is also considering a design model similar to a ski hill: green signs would be broad signs directing visitors to town; blue signs would start indicating that all services were available in the canyon or up Route 64; and black signs would refine where businesses are.
Perimeter markers, the group said, should be generic and easy for drivers to process while traveling the treacherous canyon road at 60-mph.
Rather than mark the road with a sign telling southbound travelers the town is to the west up Route 64, the group hopes to let drivers know they have already been in Big Sky for a few miles in the canyon. Plus, a member said, there are aspects of the town lying south of Spur Road.
Signs should read rather that visitors can find food, lodging, medical assistance and entertainment in the Meadow, Alt suggested.
The town must alsoalso has to follow rules set by the DOT that state advertisements cannot be marked on stateon custom signs. Rather than advertising for the resorts at the mountain, for example, they would read “Ski.” Another member suggested the sign should just read “Fun.”
Hamilton, who said he’s been working on this project for more than a year, was happy to see the community rally behind the idea, and that it’s time the town gets organized with signs.
“We knew going into this thing that it’s not easy,” he said. “If it were easy, we’d have had this 25 years ago.” suggested it was best to let travelers know all services are available if needed.
taylor@theoutlawpartners.com
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
more
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT