BILLINGS — The Billings Depot has big plans for a small empty green space on the building’s south side.
A group called the Wild Women of the West, which meets at the Depot, is spearheading the effort to transform the space near the underpass into a pocket park.
Pocket parks are green spaces too small for physical activities, but big enough for a comfortable spot to meet up with friends and soak up the sun.
The plans for the pocket park include seating, art work and a rain garden.
The installation will collect, absorb, and filter storm water runoff from roof tops, roads, sidewalks and parking lots in an artistic way.
“The Billings Depot is an anchor of Downtown and part of our mission is to complement and contribute to the community’s growth and spirit of vitality,” said Michelle Williams, executive director of the Billings Depot. “What an exciting way for the Depot and the Wild Women of the West to bring this mission to life in a physical way and create something which combines preservation, beautification and protection of our natural resources.”
Williams said Phase One of the project will begin this summer with digging up the ground and planting soil.
The Girl Scouts will also get their hands dirty and earn a badge for their efforts to construct the miniature park.
To kick off this project, the Billings Depot was recently awarded a Space2Place Strategic Placemaking micro-grant sponsored by Big Sky Economic Development.
