Details
WHEN: Thursday, July 17
TIME: 10:00 AM
WHERE: The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the north end of Sunset Hills, adjacent to the red ski lift chair. The best access point is from the Lindley Center, where parking is available.
SPEAKERS: Chet Work, GVLT Executive Director; Kevin Sylvester, Eagle Mount Executive Director; and Terry Cunningham, Mayor of the City of Bozeman
Join us in celebrating the opening of a vibrant network of new all-abilities trails around the 30-acre open field of Sunset Hills, located between Lindley Park and Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center, with a public ribbon cutting ceremony. This is a timely celebration, as July is Disability Pride Month, and July 26 marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Already a hub of winter trails managed by the Bridger Ski Foundation, Sunset Hills hasn’t historically been maintained outside of the winter season. However, when the most recent revision of Bozeman’s future land use map reclassified the area as Parks and Open Space, GVLT identified a prime opportunity to advance one of the primary goals of its Trails program—Expanding Access.
Sunset Hills features trails with a range of surfaces, from existing paved shared-use paths to gravel and natural surface accessible trails, allowing users to gradually increase their comfort level with different trail types. The trails can accommodate a variety of adaptive devices, such as hiking wheelchairs, adaptive mountain bikes, and other mobility aids. All-abilities trails also make an ideal place for people to develop their biking skills before progressing to more challenging trails, such as those found in nearby Highland Glen.
The project will also enhance accessibility at the nearby Bozeman Softball Complex, where nearly a mile of trail has been rehabilitated and dedicated accessible parking has been added, benefiting both trail users and event attendees at the complex.
GVLT’s primary project partner is the City of Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department. The project takes place on City of Bozeman land, and the City is funding accessibility improvements at the Bozeman Softball Complex parking lot. Additional funding was generously provided by Bozeman Health, AARP, Athletic Brewing Two for the Trails, the Gallatin County Open Lands Program, and Gloria Catinchi in honor of Judy Tschache Trent.
GVLT also consulted with key stakeholders when designing the trails, including Eagle Mount, Age-Friendly Bozeman, Bridger Ski Foundation, Bozeman Youth Cycling, Bozeman Cyclocross, Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association, and a U.S. Paralympic coach and athletes, to ensure the project creates the maximum impact for a variety of user groups and abilities.