Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2020

The Master Plan is a 10-year guiding document to enhance Belgrade’s park and recreation facilities, supported by community-based assessments and outreach. It inventories repair needs, proposes new programs and events, maps future parks and pathways, and recommends budget and operational strategies. Key drivers include Belgrade’s rapid growth, which has created an urgent need for expanded and improved amenities. Community input shaped priorities such as increased connectivity, sports fields, entertainment programs, indoor spaces, and diverse funding strategies. Recommendations span infrastructure, staffing, programming, and strategic collaborations, with a mid-term review in 2024 and a full update in 2029.

This chapter provides demographic and economic context, projecting growth from ~10,423 in 2020 to up to 14,703 by 2030, with a youthful population driving demand for active recreation. Comparative analysis shows Belgrade has more parkland than national averages but less than similar Montana cities, and significantly lower per-acre spending and staffing. Trends from national, state, and local studies highlight strong interest in walking, biking, trail access, water recreation, and playground use, but limited current facilities. Existing planning documents (Gallatin County, regional transportation, and urban renewal plans) influence the Master Plan by emphasizing connectivity, downtown vibrancy, and partnerships.

Community input was gathered via surveys, focus groups, and public meetings in 2019. Findings show high park visitation (over half of respondents visit more than six times per year), strong interest in walking access, and top amenity desires including more playgrounds, restrooms, and pet-friendly features. Funding strategies favored include a park maintenance district, nonprofit fundraising, and public-private partnerships, with high willingness to contribute financially. Residents also support adding trees, improving connectivity, offering more sports facilities, creating indoor recreation space, and expanding events. These needs directly inform later recommendations on facilities, programs, and capital investments.