Memorandum
REPORT TO:
Urban Parks and Forestry Board
FROM:
Jon Henderson, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:
Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Work Session
MEETING DATE:
September 24, 2026
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Plan/Report/Study
RECOMMENDATION:
Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Work Session
STRATEGIC PLAN:
BACKGROUND:
The Bozeman Creek Vision Plan was approved as a City Commission priority on August 6th, 2024 via Resolution 5626 and further recognized in the 2025-2026 City Commission Priorities Work Plan adopted on June 23, 2026, in support of the following goals:
- Enhance flood mitigation efforts
- Improve water quality & ecological health
- Increase access and connectivity to parks & trails
- Support economic vitality opportunities
- Strengthen community connection to a vital resource
This project builds on previous work such as the 2012 Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan, the 2020 Bozeman Creek Analysis Technical Assistance Grant Report, the 2023 Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan, and the 2025 Bozeman Creek Flood Mitigation and Reclamation Preliminary Engineering Report, among other important efforts.
On December 9th, 2025, the City Commission adopted a Resolution approving a formal Community Engagement Plan, incorporating feedback received during an introduction to the project through a Special Presentation on October 7th, 2025.
PORT Architecture and Urbanism, LLC was selected following a competitive Request for Proposals and subsequently contracted under a Professional Services Agreement approved on January 27, 2026.
Furthermore, the City of Bozeman has partnered with SeeBozemanCreek in an effort to leverage the power of community-led interests towards a holistic approach to achieving shared goals among a wide range of constituents.
A series of work sessions were held in February and April of 2026 with a wide variety of constituents, including Neighborhood Association representatives, Downtown Board members, Downtown property & business owners, Watershed Council leadership, SeeBozemanCreek Advisory Committee members, City staff, and others to begin exploring a number of project and policy options. Key takeaways included:
- A vision for Bozeman Creek should be in alignment with broader ecological context
- Emphasize quality of life improvements tied to enhanced ecosystem services
- Bozeman is becoming amenitized, which is not always aligned with community needs/goals
- The state and local legislative context is unique and nuanced
- A catastrophic flood event is not an 'if', but a 'when'
On June 2, 2026 a public open house was held at Soroptimist Park to give the community an opportunity to provide feedback on a number of "big ideas" that were generated through previous engagement, as described above.
On July 14, 2026 the City Commission conducted a Work Session which provided a summary of efforts completed to date, including a review of the proposed recommendations, and an opportunity to provide overall guidance.
On July 20, 2026 the Community Development Citizen Advisory Board provided input on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan with a focus on preliminary zoning and planning policy recommendations.
On August 8, 2026 a public open house was held at Bogert Park to provide the public will have an opportunity to review a Draft Vision Framework Plan during the annual SLAM Festival.
On September 24, 2026 the Urban Parks & Forestry Citizen Advisory Board will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback that will help shape a draft Vision Plan.
A final public event will be held in November to provide an opportunity for clarification and affirmation prior to the City Commission's consideration of approval of the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan in December.
Beyond the Vision Plan, several strategies will be considered for implementation, further described in the attached memo titled "Bozeman Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance".
Additional information can be found on the City’s Engage Bozeman website, where citizens can subscribe to regular updates.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:
None.
ALTERNATIVES:
As directed by the City Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS:
Funding for this effort has been allocated in the FY26 approved budget as a three-way split between the Parks Maintenance District, the Stormwater Fund, and the Public Works Administration Fund for a total of $150,000.