BILLINGS- Some groups in Billings are looking at the options to turn Coulson Park into something special.
The public had its first chance to comment on some of ideas at the Billings Community Center on Thursday night.
Planners say Coulson Park is at a unique location on Yellowstone River and near Interstate 90.
The meeting provided a chance to see what has been done in other cities and what can be done at Coulson. The ideas are just for the 50-acre Coulson Park, and not the adjacent land that once house the shuttered Corette coal-fired power plant.
The city’s parks department has been working with Big Sky Economic Development, DHM Design and other groups.
An amphitheater has been one of the ideas.
And the discussion has been about how Coulson fits into the Billings parks system, transportation and ecology.
“Pretty amazing,” said Eric Meadows, DHM Design senior associate. “I mean, 50-acre park right on the Yellowstone River with the Sacrifice Cliffs there. It’s a real compelling site. Our hope is to really transform that into a special place that’s activated, feels safe and really provides a great asset for the community.”
Meadows said the plan is to get a draft done this summer and have a completed master plan ready in October.
