Livingston review of Reservoir Park geodesign report highlights consensus on natural features, calls for steering committee

Livingston City Commissioners on Thursday received a community-led geodesign report on Reservoir Park and directed City Manager Grant Gager to form a steering committee to carry the design toward implementation.

The report, presented by Alec Antic of CV Studio, summarized two community workshops and 202 online survey responses conducted last year to shape a nonbinding preplanning vision for the roughly 5.5-acre, city‑owned park on Livingston’s north side. Antic said participants negotiated two primary design proposals and found areas of agreement on three park zones: a natural east zone, a utilitarian middle zone for parking and restrooms, and a more active west zone for recreation and picnic space.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents said the park is used informally now and that an organized plan could improve accessibility, add off‑street parking and better connect the site to other trails and parks. The steering committee is intended to refine design details, align them with a budget, and define long‑term maintenance responsibilities before a final design professional is retained.

Antic told the commission the geodesign process emphasized community negotiation and tracking of options using an online GeodesignHub tool. He said groups generally agreed to “really maintain the natural features,” and many participants suggested drought‑tolerant demonstration plantings and improved trail connectivity. The west side of the site, roughly 1.3 acres, was identified as the most suitable location for active uses; one group proposed a small children’s bicycle pump track, though Antic said that idea did not reach full consensus.

Public commenters supported the community process and asked the commission to consider adding urban‑agriculture features. Rachel Jones, executive director of Farm to School in Park County, said she was “surprised not to see any community garden features” in the design materials and noted Livingston’s long waiting list for community garden plots. Hayes Gucci, a nearby resident who spoke online, volunteered to serve on a steering committee and urged neighborhood representation.

Several commissioners praised the outreach and recommended the steering committee include neighbors, nonprofits and city staff. Commissioner Willich moved to receive the geodesign workshop report and direct the city manager to pursue the next steps; the motion passed on a recorded roll call.

Next steps: City staff said the steering group will evaluate funding options and maintenance responsibilities and coordinate with a forthcoming parks master plan update. Commissioners noted the city previously set aside funds for the site (a sum recalled in the meeting as approximately $50,000) and said any final design will depend on available budget.

Quotes in context: Alec Antic, CV Studio: “really maintain the natural features.” Rachel Jones, Farm to School: “I was surprised not to see any community garden features…Reservoir Park could be a potential good location for that.” Hayes Gucci (resident): “I would happily be on that steering committee.”

Ending: Commissioners approved forming a steering committee and moving the geodesign results into a planning phase that will match community priorities with funding and maintenance plans.