   In April, 2006, a group of Big Timber citizens met to begin the process of developing a public park and recreational area on a parcel of city-owned property that includes the old Big Timber Landfill
(a brownfield site), Boulder River frontage and the former Stene/Williams homestead. Goals for park design include sustainable redevelopment of the landscape, ecologically sensitive maintenance, preservation of historic structures, and citizen education about the delicate ecosystems that are integral to the landscape.

   The park site is a working landscape; animals graze in the fields, and the city of Big Timber ultilizes adjacent areas for waste disposal, recycling, composting, storage, and water treatment. The founding group, now known as the Dornix Park Citizens Committee (DPCC), intends to establish a park that demonstrates successful multi-community uses: preservation, restoration, recreation, wildlife habitat, growing food, outdoor education and continuing city public works.

   The park project has already generated significant opportunities and partnerships. Sweet Grass High School has obtained a three-year Service Learning Grant from the Department of Public Instruction to work on many facets of the park, and Montana State university’s Landscape Design Department has been instrumental in helping to establish the feasibility of the park and in producing preliminary plans.

As to why we joined YBP...We have designed our project to be "green" and believe it to be a very important value for what we are doing. YPB's mission to develop a set of standards for environmentally responsible development is important to us and so we see the opportunity to partner with YPB as advantageous to both Dornix Park and YBP.


DORNIX PARK CITIZENS COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT:

To restore and develop Dornix Park in Big Timber, Montana, for parkland, recreation, and wildlife habitat, now and for future generations.

The Dornix Park Citizens Committee (DPCC) functions under the auspices of the City of Big Timber. DPCC is working with the City to develop a multi-use park on approximately 50 acres of city property that includes:
•    The original 1880’s town site of Dornix
•    Boulder River frontage
•    An old homestead with orchard, irrigated fields, and grazing land
•    An abandoned land fill

Dornix Park will offer many opportunities, not currently available to the citizens of Big Timber and Sweet Grass County, for improved quality of life. Plans include:

River Area
•    Over 3 miles of recreational trails
•    Boulder River access and restoration of historic streambeds
•    Restoration of traditional wetlands
•    Wetland construction to improve quality of effluent entering the Boulder River from adjacent waste water treatment facility
•    Wildlife viewing and maintenance of wildlife habitat

Historic Homestead
•    Preservation of historic homestead structures

Recreation Areas
•    Prairie grassland restoration
•    Environmental Learning Center for classes, day camps, and conferences
•    Geodesic dome energy efficient greenhouse for use by Sweet Grass High School and other community organizations
•    Outdoor amphitheater for plays and concerts
•    Open space for family gatherings

Click here for a timeline of Dornix Park Milestones

GY Framework Progress:

Click here for a pdf of the Dornix Park Project

click on a picture to see a larger version