RATE THIS ARTICLE

(Current Rating: 0)

BOOKMARK & SHARE

Simkins Holdings, the developers of the Big Sky Town Center, recently donated $20,000 to the non-profit Big Sky Community Corporation (BSCC) to help fund the construction of the paved trail along the Spur Road from Highway 191 to Ousel Falls Road. Additionally, the Town Center developers and Morningstar Learning Center also donated over1,700 yards of fill material that was used in the construction of the 6 to 10foot wide paved trail, which was recently completed. Last year, a large bridge was installed to prepare for the trail, and the project was recently granted all of the final approvals from various agencies. The construction of the trail is expected to cost about $600,000, and is being funded by many generous private donors and the Big Sky Resort Tax.

The Big SkyTown Center and the Simkins family have been strong supporters of the BSCC because they feel that by building parks and trails, they help build a stronger community. With the help of Big Sky resident Bill Olson, in 2002 the Simkins and their former partner, the Taylor family, placed over 18 miles of trail easements on more than 3,000 acres ofland in Big Sky. About 1,200 acres of their land holdings was sold shortly thereafter, and the new owners relocated some of the trail easements, but the important connections to the future trail system remain in place today. Most of these trails have yet to be constructed, but the easements will help ensurethat at some point in the future, important trail linkages can be constructed from the Town Center to Highway 191 and Ophir/LonePeak High.

Several years ago, Bill Olson also negotiated with the Simkins and the Taylors, the sale of the original 22-acre community park for $500,000. The sales price for the land was substantially below the appraised value, and thus resulted in a charitable donation by the sellers. Since that time, the BSCC also received another generous donation from the Taylors of prime riparian habitat adjacent to the community park to further enhance this valuable community asset.