Completing and activating our parks and trails spaces increases public safety, as well-lit parking lots and community gathering areas draw users to those areas, removing a potential haven for criminals. National studies show well maintained parks contribute to an overall reduction in crime, including a reduction in gun crime. This gives kids access to safe, meaningful, and fulfilling childcare, after-school, and weekend activities. Kids who participate in after-school activities are shown to have a decreased likelihood of engaging in dangerous or criminal activity in the future.
Our Next Step for Public Safety
Investing in Community for the Long Run
South Park Pool is over 100 years old and in desperate need of updated facilities. Centennial Ice Arena has outlived its useful life. Billings has not completed a new park in over 40 years, and voters have not even been asked to pass a Parks bond since 1999. The longer we wait to build and improve our parks, trails, and recreation infrastructure, the more it will cost us in the long run. Investing in our system now can avoid more costly problems in future years – and give us the world-class amenities we deserve today.
Protecting Taxpayer Dollars
The cost of the bond will not be borne solely by taxpayers. Efforts are underway to raise $6 million in private donations, plus another $6 million through grants, which will go directly toward these projects. This measure will allow the City to access matching grants to stretch every dollar. Private fundraising from community organizations and local business leaders will maximize the impact of taxpayer investment. Our community is working hard to identify revenue sources that will help to reduce the impact to your property tax bill.
Pledged and anticipated financial support and grant opportunities thus far includes:
…and it’s growing every day!
*For promotional, marketing, administrative, and operational expenses not to exceed $800,000 annually for ten years.
**Revenue generated from naming rights, advertising, sponsorships, and temporary facility surcharges on events, tournaments, and leagues.
Protecting Taxpayer Dollars
The cost of the bond will not be borne solely by taxpayers. Efforts are underway to raise $6 million in private donations, plus another $6 million through grants, which will go directly toward these projects. This measure will allow the City to access matching grants to stretch every dollar. Private fundraising from community organizations and local business leaders will maximize the impact of taxpayer investment. Our community is working hard to identify revenue sources that will help to reduce the impact to your property tax bill.
Pledged and anticipated financial support and grant opportunities thus far includes:
…and it’s growing every day!
*For promotional, marketing, administrative, and operational expenses not to exceed $800,000 annually for ten years.
**Revenue generated from naming rights, advertising, sponsorships, and temporary facility surcharges on events, tournaments, and leagues.
Every Neighborhood Benefits
This effort is not just about one project – it touches every neighborhood across our city. It is the result of years of community discussions, master plan development, and the hard work and dedication of citizens throughout Billings. If this Bond is passed, each project will have a community steering committee made up of local residents who monitor and advise on the scope, schedule, communication, and cost of the projects. What’s more, if you’re a homeowner whose home is assessed at the median market value, which for Billings is around $300,000, then you would expect to pay just $13 per month to fund all of these incredible parks, trails, and recreation centers contained in the Bond package. These costs will phase in over 3-5 years, then decrease over time as the city continues to grow, until being fully paid off in 20 years.
What’s Included?
* Includes new community centers for the Heights, South Side, and West End
What Can I Do?
The most important thing you can do is vote YES! This will be an all-mail election, and ballots will be mailed starting on October 18th. They are due to the Yellowstone County Elections Officer by November 7th. To register to vote or learn more about the election process, visit: https://www.yellowstonecountymt.gov/Elections/.
Want to help our effort to spread the word? Email us at PlayItForwardBillings@gmail.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities or put a yard sign in your lawn.
What Can I Do?
The most important thing you can do is vote YES! This will be an all-mail election, and ballots will be mailed starting on October 18th. They are due to the Yellowstone County Elections Officer by November 7th. To register to vote or learn more about the election process, visit: https://www.yellowstonecountymt.gov/Elections/.
Want to help our effort to spread the word? Email us at PlayItForwardBillings@gmail.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities or put a yard sign in your lawn.
