Pioneer Park has been in existence for 92 years having been originally purchased in 1918 and dedicated in 1932 to the founding pioneers of Billings.  Over the years as Billings has grown, Pioneer Park has served as the flagship park for the community, satisfying a wide variety of park and recreational needs.  The last Park Master Plan was completed in 1972 and since that time the park has evolved and adapted to host a wide variety of events to meet the changing interests of the community including Saturday Live, Big Sky State Games and Disc Golf.  With changes in  uses and demographics it is important  to periodically assess the uses and events of the park to be responsive to and meet the needs of the citizens of Billings.  In April 2009 PRPL sent out a Request for Proposal for master plan consulting services. The Land Group from Eagle Idaho was selected and on September 14, 2009 Council approved a contract for consulting services.  Under the direction of PRPL staff, The Land Group prepared the Pioneer Park Master plan Update.  The plan was presented to the Billings Park, Recreation and Cemetery Board on March 24, 2010 and the Board voted to recommend adoption of the Pioneer Park Master Plan Update to the City Council.  The final step is to present the plan to the City Council for consideration and adoption.     

The City Council may:

• Do nothing, leaving the current plan in place.
• Modify the master plan update.
• Adopt the park master plan update as the guiding document for future development at Pioneer Park.  This is the recommendation of staff and the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board.

Pioneer Park development and maintenance has traditionally been funded through the City's General Fund.  Future development, maintenance savings operations and Disc Golf management will likely continue to be financed in the same manner.  As opportunities arise, alternative funding sources will be sought to offset the General Fund.

The Billings Park Master Plan Policy was adopted by the PRPL Department in 1980. A park may not be developed until a Park Master Plan has been prepared and adopted by the Billings City Council. All development and proposals for the development of portions of parks or facilities within parks must be consistent with an approved Master Plan. It is prepared by a qualified park planner, and considers surrounding zoning and land uses and local and general park and recreation needs as well as specific requests from interested users. This is to assure the highest quality and most beneficial development of parks and recreation facilities, and to assure adequate public input into the development, sale, or use, of Billings’ parkland. A proposed modification to a park that is a significant departure from the approved Master Plan requires a revision of the Master Plan following the above process, to determine if the proposed change is acceptable and appropriate for that park. The Pioneer Park Master Plan Update as presented has been reviewed and recommended to the City Council for approval and adoption by the Billings Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board.

The master plan:

• Sets forth the guidelines for development and maintenance of Pioneer Park.
• Utilized various public input methods including interviews, a survey and public meetings to identify user needs and desires as valuable information to incorporate in the plan development process.
• Identifies important community partnerships in providing programming and amenities at the park.
• Sets forth guidelines for layout and management of a disc golf course in Pioneer Park.

Since Pioneer Park is a community park that serves the entire community, the goal was to inform and engage Billings citizens and stakeholders throughout the entire master planning process to illicit their comments, views, suggestions and concerns.  Early in the research phase of the project staff and the project consultant interviewed over 16 user groups and city department representatives.  A statistically valid survey was sent out to 2750 Billings residents, 550 in each Ward.  During the Analysis and Schematic Design phases of the master plan, 2 public meetings were held along with a follow up meeting with stakeholders.  Public service announcements were sent out to all media outlets to encourage public participation.  On March 24, 2010 the final master plan was presented to the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board for their review and recommendation.  Public comment was encouraged at that meeting.  The PRC Board voted to recommend to Council adoption of the Pioneer Park Master Plan Update.  On April 5, 2010 the final master plan was presented at a Council Work Session and public comment was given.  Throughout the entire master planning process staff posted information and updates on the PRPL website.   Three news letters updating the public on the master plan process were posted on the website and made available in paper form at the PRPL Offices.  Paper copies of the survey report and the final master plan were made available to the public at the PRPL Offices, the Library and at the City Clerks Office.    

The Pioneer Park Master Plan Update follows recommendations consistant in the Parks 20/20 Plan adopted in 1997.