Highlighting the importance of outdoor recreational areas, WealthVest’s employees volunteered to help the Gallatin Valley Land Trust perform some much-needed trail maintenance at Burke Park, commonly known as “Peets Hill”, in Bozeman this August.

A popular spot for bikers, runners, and dog walkers in the community, the park’s trail system was damaged after recent rainstorms pommeled the area causing major ruts and eroding the integrity of the trail in certain areas. WealthVest’s employees worked alongside GVLT to haul wheelbarrows of dirt along the nearly 2-mile trail system, stopping to filling in, rake and compact damaged areas to prevent future erosion.

Situated just off Main Street, near downtown Bozeman, the 41-acre park is part of the city’s popular Main Street to Mountains Trail System and is home to more than 220 species of plants. According to the Gallatin Valley Land Trusts website, the City of Bozeman originally plotted the land for a 612-home subdivision in 1892. However, through the efforts of the Land Trust, local landowners, the City of Bozeman and individual donors, it has remained an open space for Bozeman residents and visitors to enjoy year-round.

Founded in 1990 The Gallatin Valley Land Trust is dedicated to conserving open space and expand community trails in and around the Gallatin Valley in Southwest Montana.  They have helped preserve more than 78 square miles of land for future generations through a variety of public and private partnerships, according to their website.

The organization is currently working to purchase a 12-acre parcel on the south end of Burke Park that recently became available. GVLT has started fundraising for the project and those interested in making a donation for the acquisition of ‘Peets’ Final Piece’ should contact Justin Barth at justin@gvlt.org.

To learn more about the park or the Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s work in and around Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley, visit www.gvlt.org.