Friday, July 11, 2014

Montana's Outdoor Recreation Plan for 2014-2018 Now Available Online

Montana State Parks has announced that Montana's Outdoor Recreation Plan titled Creating a Vibrant Future for Montana's Outdoor Recreation Heritage, is now available to the public.

Creating a Vibrant Future for Montana's Outdoor Recreation Heritage is a roadmap for public recreation planning in Montana for 2014-2018. Developed through the collaboration of federal, state and local outdoor recreation providers, land managers, and partners, the plan serves as a catalyst to enhance the quality of life of all Montanans and support vibrant communities through a growing recreation industry.

The plan looks at Montana's existing outdoor recreation facilities and resources, growing demands for recreation activities, and evaluates national and state trends. It also provides strategic recommendations for prioritizing recreational needs safely while maintaining the quality of natural, cultural, and recreational resources on Montana's public lands.

Creating a Vibrant Future for Montana's Outdoor Recreation Heritage will help set recreation policy throughout Montana for the next 5 years.

Its creation is a requirement for Montana to receive funding from Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Montana has already been awarded $409,615 in LWCF funds for 2015.

Since the LWCF program's inception nearly 50 years ago, Montana has received more than $38 million in grant funding for community recreation projects. Nearly 800 projects across the state have been made possible through this funding, ranging from development of local parks, ball fields, and swimming pools to parks land acquisition. Montana State Parks administers the LWCF grant program. This program funding is completely separate from all Montana State Park revenues, camping fees, and related funding sources.

The public is welcome to view or download the completed plan by clicking here. A limited number of printed copies are also available by request through Montana State Parks Headquarters at (406) 444-3750, P.O. 200701, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620.

Montana's Outdoor Recreation Plan was developed through collaboration of an advisory committee representing federal, state, and local recreation managers, and tourism partners, along with public surveys of Montana residents by the University of Montana Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research and additional national and state agency data collection.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

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