Troy officials working to secure grants to improve public recreational offerings

Troy City Councilors approved an application for an $81,000 grant that would go towards developing the municipality’s skate park, splash pad and showers at Roosevelt Park last week.

The dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCF), administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, could be part of a greater push to develop the city’s recreational opportunities, City Councilor Shawna Kelsey said during a July 21 meeting.

Troy officials already secured a $10,000 grant awarded by FWP’s Montana Trail Stewardship Grants Program (MTSGP). Using some of these funds to meet matching requirements, the municipality also landed $26,000 from the state Department of Commerce.

When factoring donations, the city could receive up to $163,000 for recreational development, according to City Clerk and Treasurer Tracy Rebo.

“We’re trying to take advantage of some funding momentum,” said Kelsey, who took point on the effort along with City Councilor TJ Boswell.

Following a show of community support, city councilors voted to create a skate park committee last month. Although the council would have to pass another resolution to officially create the committee, the move underscored the city’s intent to redevelop the park using ideas sourced from the community.

City councilors mulled over the idea of working with an engineering firm to build up the skate park in April. While resident Zach McDougall pitched the council on taking do-it-yourself approach to renovating the park, Boswell said working off of firm blueprints would make it easier for the city to tackle the project over multiple years.

Funds from the state Department of Commerce and MTSGP would go toward developing Pedaler’s Park near the Troy Museum. This park would feature a coin-operated shower, campsites and a bike repair station. Councilors geared the recreation area to cater to bike riders who frequently ride through the area.

“They come in and they want to stop and clean up and get a bite to eat, maybe spend a few bucks in the stores,” Carr said.

Along with the grant and donations, City Councilor Chuck Ekstedt, who runs Ekstedt Tree Services, has volunteered to remove trees for the projects.

“Kudos to everyone involved,” said Carr.