Livingston adopts parks master plan after hours of public testimony and petitions

The Livingston City Commission voted Dec. 3 to adopt an updated parks master plan that lays out prioritized projects, funding ranges and an implementation schedule for the city’s 17 parks.

Stockwell Engineers’ David Locke presented the 150‑page document to the commission, describing community engagement, inventories, and an action plan focused on accessibility, maintainability and improved trails. Locke said the plan was built from public input gathered since late 2024 and noted the team received “just over 300 people” who filled out the online survey during the project’s public engagement phase.

Why it matters: The plan is a roadmap that city staff and volunteers can use to seek grants, stage capital work and set maintenance priorities. It groups projects as short‑term (next three years), mid‑term (5–7 years) and long‑term (7–10 years) so the city can scope and fund items incrementally rather than undertaking a massive single year buildout.

What was presented: Locke and city staff outlined major recommendations including reconnecting and expanding trails (the plan references approximately 8 miles of existing trails and proposes roughly another 8 miles of connections), formalizing parking and circulation in high‑use parks such as Sacagawea and Miles Park, and bringing playground surfacing and restroom access into ADA compliance. The consultant also flagged maintenance and staffing as necessary to sustain higher standards and recommended a cyclical replacement schedule for playgrounds and courts.

Public feedback and concerns: Dozens of residents spoke during two lengthy public‑comment periods. Supporters said the plan will help the city pursue grants and private fundraising; one resident told commissioners that accepting the plan would allow outside partners to move forward with fundraising. Critics urged caution on scope and cost: one speaker calculated capital costs for Sacagawea Park at about $5.3 million and asked whether other urgent city needs should come first. Multiple commenters opposed specific concepts such as closing McGee (Miles) Drive and adding additional paved parking in parkland; several petitioners delivered signatures and asked for a delay.

How the commission responded: Commissioners discussed both the petition and the broader survey and engagement record, noting a range of input across neighborhoods and ages. City manager Grant Gager reminded the body that his spending authority is capped at $50,000 and that projects above that threshold would return to the commission for appropriation. Commissioners and staff said project scoping would be used to refine costs and reduce unintended impacts; they also discussed options such as a parks foundation to help raise private funds and using public‑private partnerships for specific amenities.

The vote and next steps: After deliberation, the commission approved the plan and directed staff to program priority projects into future budgets and to return to the commission for any work requiring spending above manager authority. Staff said individual projects will be scoped and brought forward with more detailed cost estimates and environmental/stormwater considerations.

What to watch for: The commission set an implementation path rather than immediate construction — expect future agenda items that scope specific projects, request appropriations or seek grant matches. The public will have further opportunities for input when individual projects come back for funding or design approval.