High Sierra Park is a 14.35 acre parcel located at the west end of Wicks Lane in the High Sierra Subdivision.  This park was constructed in 1986-87 with funding derived from a Special Improvement District (SID) created November 18, 1986.  It is maintained through a Park Maintenance District (PMD) created September 10, 1984, and expanded June 13, 2005.  The original park master plan was developed and approved by Council March 1986.  Within the last 5 years there has been significant interest in developing a Dog Park in Billings.  To respond to this public interest a "Friends of Billings Dog Parks" citizen committee was formed January 2008.  Through an extensive evaluation process, High Sierra Park was selected as a favorable site for a Dog Park.  The original High Sierra Park Master Plan did not include provisions for a Dog Park, therefore a master plan update is necessary.  A public meeting was held August 27, 2009, to discuss the master plan update and receive public input regarding the development of a Dog Park at High Sierra Park.  All public comments were positive in favor of the creation of a Dog Park.  On September 9, 2009, a brief presentation on a master plan update for High Sierra Park to include a Dog Park was made to the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board.  The Board voted unanimously to recommend to Council the adoption of the Master Plan Update for High Sierra Park and the addition of a Dog Park.  The City Council reviewed the master plan update at its work session on Oct. 5, 2009.

The Council may:

• Do nothing, leaving the current plan in place; or 
• Adopt the master plan update to include a Dog Park addition to High Sierra Park as the guiding document for future development at the park. 

There will be no financial impact to the City's General Fund.  Funding for the construction of a Dog Park will l be raised bu the Friends of Billings Dog Parks Committee by private and in kind donations.  Additional maintenance costs will be paid through a combination of donations, programming fees and an increase in the Park Maintenance District (PMD).

The need to revisit the High Sierra Park Master Plan came about because the existing plan does not reflect a Dog Park as an approved use in the park.  In November of 2007 a public meeting was held to gage citizen interest in developing a Dog Park in Billings.  There was tremendous public support and from that meeting, a Friends of Billings Dog Parks Committee was formed and has been meeting monthly to advise staff in determining  locations and funding options.  Through an extensive analysis process, High Sierra Park was identified as a suitable location for a Dog Park.  Since the existing master plan did not include a Dog Park provision, it was determined a master plan update was necessary.  In compliance with the Billings Park Master Plan Policy, a public meeting was held on August 27, 2009, at 6:30 pm at the Castle Rock Middle School Library.  The public meeting was advertised as a legal notice in the Billings Times Newspaper, through Public Service Announcements to radio, television and newspaper outlets and by mailing 390 information cards to all of the residents in the High Sierra Subdivision.  The meeting was attended by over 20 citizens.  A staff presentation on Dog Parks was made and a discussion about a Dog Park in High Sierra Park followed.  All in attendance were in favor of the establishment of a dog park at High Sierra Park.  On September 9, 2009, a presentation was made to the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery (PRC) Board regarding the High Sierra Park Master Plan Update to include a Dog Park.  All were in favor of updating the Master Plan and voted to recommend to Council the adoption of the High Sierra Park Master Plan Update.    The City Council reviewed the master plan update at its work session on Oct. 5, 2009.

The primary stake holders include the residents of High Sierra Subdivision who live the closest to High Sierra Park, The Friends of Billings Dog Parks Committee who are a group of citizens desiring to develop Dog Parks for public use in Billings and staff who will administer the development and maintenance of Dog Park facilities. 

The High Sierra Park Master Plan Update follows the procedures in the Billings Park Master Plan Policy.  It also follows recommendations contained in the 20/20 Plan adopted in 1997.