Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Highlights: Land Trusts Share Expertise and Grant Strategies
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
The Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board convened on January 12, 2026, drawing a crowd that included representatives from two prominent regional land trusts and the Montana Trails Coalition. The meeting offered a deep dive into trail stewardship, community engagement, and strategies for securing funding to enhance local parks and trails.
Land Trust Leaders Bring Regional Perspective
Matt Parsons, Trails Director for Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT), opened the discussion by outlining GVLT’s hands-on approach to trail stewardship. Parsons described their involvement in a variety of agreements, from formal easements with Gallatin County to informal partnerships with federal agencies. He highlighted the crucial role nonprofits play in managing and maintaining trails, especially in counties lacking dedicated parks departments.
Nate Kop, Program and Trails Director for Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) and a board member of the Montana Trails Coalition, shared PPLT’s model of owning and managing parklands with the goal of eventually transferring them to local governments or schools. Kop emphasized the importance of building local capacity to ensure long-term stewardship.
Tom Lang of the Montana Trails Coalition explained the organization's evolving mission. Traditionally focused on legislative advocacy and grant programs, the Coalition is now expanding to provide technical assistance to communities, helping them navigate the complexities of grant applications, trail construction, and ongoing maintenance.
Funding and Community Support: Key to Success
A major theme of the meeting was the importance of diversified fundraising. Speakers shared examples from Gallatin County and Bozeman, where a mix of private donations and public funding—such as bonds and levies—has enabled significant investment in parks and trails. They stressed that grant applications are strongest when they demonstrate broad community support, including letters from local boards and partner organizations.
Planning for People: Engagement and Accessibility
Engaging the community in trail planning was another focal point. Successful approaches include in-person meetings with large maps, plain-language discussions, and providing a welcoming environment. The group agreed that overly technical plans can deter public involvement, and that trails should be designed with accessibility in mind—balancing universal access with practical, cost-effective solutions.
Trail etiquette, shared use, and self-policing were discussed as ways to minimize user conflicts. The board also heard about innovative tools, like QR-code-based reporting systems, that empower trail users to report issues directly to managers.
Board Business and Next Steps
The board welcomed new member Amy Currents and elected Carol Hatfield as incoming Chair. Other business included tabling a bylaws review and discussing a project checklist to clarify ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Long-term, the board aims to coordinate trail mapping and planning with neighboring counties, leveraging momentum from ongoing local efforts.
The meeting closed with a commitment to continue these collaborative discussions at the February session, ensuring Broadwater County remains at the forefront of regional parks and recreation planning.
