Organizers gather ideas to boost Troy's outdoor activities

Organizers with an outdoor access program are compiling public feedback on a plan intended to guide the management of recreational opportunities in the Troy area.

Following a Dec. 9 community meeting, the Montana Access Project is reviewing input for a “Mountain to Town Recreation Plan.” The group plans to release a survey in January with more detailed questions about what community members would like to see included in the document.

Diane Conradi, founder of Montana Access Project, said organizers received great feedback from the residents and stakeholders who gathered at the Silver Spur and tuned into the meeting virtually.

While project leaders initially focused their plan on the parks and trails in the Troy area, Conradi said they heard from many interested in access to the Kootenai River. Some locals pointed out safety concerns that could magnify as more people, especially those unfamiliar with the area, visit the waterway.

Community members who attended the gathering suggested finding ways to increase recreational access for people of all ages and abilities. Conradi was happy to see those recommendations spring up organically. She said it often falls on project organizers to raise the topic during community meetings.

During a Dec. 15 city council meeting, Shawna Kelsey told her colleagues the public gathering was a success.

“I was really happy with how it went,” the city councilor said. “It was a full house with lots of really great input, all really positive. People have a lot of ideas, which is what we need, and a lot of concerns. I think things were very productive.”

In a follow-up interview, Kelsey said some residents had raised concerns that the plan might change the feel of the Troy community.

“I think there’s always a concern about getting over gentrified,” said Kelsey. “What a lot of people would like to see is a plan that prioritizes livability for locals and not directly for economic growth.”

The city’s planning board is working in tandem with the development of the plan to ensure the municipality is prepared to accept the roadmap.

Montana Access Project organizers broke Troy area recreational opportunities into three zones. Within the greater Troy area zone, project leaders grouped Bull Lake, Ross Creek Cedars and the Yaak. Inside the Troy vicinity area, organizers included Callahan Creek and Alvord Lake. Within the city limits, project officials list Peddler’s Park, Roosevelt Park, River Walk and the city’s skate park and splash pad as main attractions, according to the project website.

Beginning in 2022, organizers expect to hold monthly meetings with the Outdoor Recreation Area Task Force, which is providing local input on the plan. By May, project leaders hope to have a finalized plan ready to present to city councilors.

The Montana Access Project survey will appear on the organization’s website: https://mtaccessproject.com/troy-area-mountain-to-town-outdoor-recreation-plan/. Anyone hoping to give feedback on the project can find a preliminary survey on the plan’s planning goals on the site.