What will the Montana State Park system look like in the year 2020? No one knows for sure, of course, because the future is very uncertain, but this Plan presents a compilation of where the public and staff think the system should be headed. The vision statement builds on the values and mission laid out above, to highlight--with broad brush strokes--what sort of system should be in place twenty years into the new millennium, as follows below:
In the year 2020, the Montana State Park system will more accurately reflect the natural, cultural/historic, and recreational diversity of Montana, with a broader geographic balance then at present. The future system will provide a greater diversity of park types, such as recreational waterways, railtrails, and historical routes. The system will also offer a broad range of facilities, experiences, and programs which meet an assortment of changing visitor needs and interests, including more educational and interpretive opportunities. Staff will continue to improve resource protection, maintenance, programs, planning, monitoring, site design, visitor information, and overall professionalism, with enhanced connections and communication with other programs both inside and outside FWP. The quality of the system will be more consistent and recognizable between units, and staff and financial resources will be sufficient to eet visitor needs. From one end of the state to the other, visitor expectations will be routinely exceeded by the high quality of the experiences provided. Overall, the state park system will be a more integral part of everyday existence in Montana; state parks will be affordable places where Montanans and their visitors from all walks of life feel comfortable and welcome.
The foundation of the Montana State Park system is solid, but Parks Program staff and the citizens of Montana can work together to build an even better system, one we can all enjoy and feel proud of next year and in the year 2020!
