Bozeman Trail
The Bozeman Trail Connector was developed and completed with funds from the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Recreational Trails Program and the City of Livingston. The Bozeman Trail Connector is approximately one mile in length and ten feet wide. Located along the trail are two dog stations, multiple signs informing users of trail safety, and trailhead signs. Barriers at the trailhead on Meredith Ranch Road prevent motorized vehicles access to the trail.
The trail starts at the American Legion Field and extends through the Discovery Vista subdivision, ending on Meredith Ranch Road. It winds through a mostly undeveloped area that is a natural place for deer, geese, various birds, and other wild animals. The view of Fleshman Creek and beaver ponds is a peaceful and relaxing bonus for the trail users. The area in close proximity to the trail is in a crucial development stage, with plans for a 4-field soccer complex and Community Garden. Many citizens use this trail daily to walk their dogs or exercise with their families. The development of this trail has been a wonderful addition to the City of Livingston.
Myers River View Trail
The City of Livingston is proposing to develop the Myers’ River View Trail along the Yellowstone River. The trail will be approximately eight tenths of a mile long and eight feet wide. There will be natural grassy areas on both sides of the gravel trail. A 3-strand smooth wire fence is being proposed to separate the trail area from private property. Also, benches and birdhouses are being proposed for placement along the trail.
Provisions for safety measures regarding the trail include twelve signs. Two signs will be placed at each trailhead, and four signs will be situated along the trail to provide citizens with general information and regulations associated with the trail. The following are a few subject areas the signs will address: hours of use, respect of wildlife, how to react when encountering wildlife, care to be taken to leave the area in the same condition as trail users found it, leash requirements, and yield expectations. Stop signs will be situated at each end of the trail as vehicular traffic can be expected at both ends. Furthermore, signs at the trailheads will state that the trail is for non-motorized use. Three large posts will be placed at each end of the trail preventing motor vehicles access to the trail. Two dog stations will be located towards each end of the trail for owners to discard dog waste.
The City was awarded $1,000 from the nationally recognized Eastman Kodak Company, specifically The Conservation Fund in partnership with Kodak and the National Geographic Society, to install wildlife and nature signage along the trail. Signs will include pictures of native wildlife, fish and plant species. Signs will be printed on outdoor sign vinyl and mounted on wooden posts. Informational signs will provide a beautiful, color picture of the wildlife, fish or tree species, its common and scientific names, status in the wild, and two paragraphs of information about the species. Information about the species have been obtained from the Montana Field Guide and the National Resource Information System (NRIS). The addition of signage will provide superior visitor enrichment and educational entertainment for trail users. Signs will be placed along the proposed trail location in July 2010.
In the fall of 2008, Remote Studio, a college level architectural program of the Artemis Institute, designed and built a structure in the parkland of the trail for the City. The structure is located along the Yellowstone River and provides visitors with a visual and audio sanctuary and reflection point to be utilized by the public. The Artemis structure is designed to blend into the surrounding landscape and become a place of discovery for the community visitors. It is built of reclaimed lumber, reclaimed steel members, pipe and screen, some new steel, woven willow and planted materials including: willow, wild rose and wild clematis. Cairns built of steel pipe sound like flutes when the wind blows and guide visitors from the trail to the structure along a footpath.
The City recently approved $3,000 to the Artemis Institute for the construction of trailheads for Myers’ River View Trail as well as a detailed map of the area highlighting future project possibilities. One of these possibilities include a “healing garden” that would be a natural garden space with benches and resting places for use by the public as well as the hospital. This structure, trailheads, and proposed “healing garden” are unique attributes of this project that could serve as an example to other communities. Meeting minutes highlighting the City’s approval have been included in Appendix H.
The City of Livingston is waiting on final funding to actually install a gravel trail at Myers. This trail isn't officially open yet!