About Us

Land Acknowledgment

In partnership with Séliš-Ql̓ispé Cultural Committee, Parks and Recreation drafted this Land Acknowledgement Statement to honor the Indigenous Peoples who have inhabited the land in the Missoula valley:

The City of Missoula acknowledges that we are in the aboriginal territories of the Salish, Kootenai, and Kalispel people. Today, we honor the path they have always shown us in caring for this place for the generations to come.

Contact our staff.

Statistics

550+ acres of developed parkland
26,000+ park, boulevard, and right-of-way trees
22 miles commuter trails
4,200 acres of conservation lands
59 miles of trail on conservation lands
About 90 elk on Mount Jumbo
Thousands of participants in recreation programs
1,000+ daily swims at Splash Montana and Currents Aquatics Center
50 teen volunteers working over 3,000 hours
Hundreds of adults volunteering over 1,000 hours
26 full-time employees and up to 200 part-time and seasonal
$4.1 million department budget
$1.3 million aquatic budget
$1.4 million annual revenue
$78 cost of parks and recreation services, per resident, per year*
Countless smiles.

Our Guiding Mission

Missoula Parks and Recreation is essential to the quality and way of life for individuals, families, community, and the environment. Our guiding mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by:

Promoting health and wellness.
Stimulating, supporting and encouraging community and economic development.
Protecting the environment.
Educating and enriching the citizens of our community.
Ensuring that all people feel safe, welcome and valued in Parks and Recreation facilities and programs.

Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan 2019 - 2021

ADA Compliance and Non-Discrimination

Parks and Recreation does not discriminate against or exclude anyone from participation in any programs or services on the basis of his, her or their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or economic status. Please make ADA accommodation requests at least 14 days in advance. Department information is available in alternative formats upon request, please email Parks and Recreation.

Beyond Fun and Games

Often people are unaware of how vital recreation and leisure are to the quality of their lives. While fun, happiness, and play are vital to growth and development, the expanded role of public parks and recreation is more critical than ever. Whether we know it or not, programs, services, events, and opportunities offered by local, state, and national park and recreation agencies positively impact many areas of our lives and society as a whole.

Everyone Benefits

Everyone in the world has somehow benefited by public park and recreation programs at some time in their lives, directly or indirectly. The time has come to make the connection between past experiences and today's success, yesterday's activities, tomorrow's physical and mental wellness, and today's taxpayer support and safe communities for our children and grandchildren. So, whether an avid participant or occasional observer, enjoy the benefits. It's everyone's right.

_{*Based on 2019 general fund and park district tax revenues ($5,700,000), divided by 2017 city population (73,340)}

Social Equity in Parks and Recreation

Equity and equality are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Equality is when everyone receives an equal amount of investment. While that sounds fair, it assumes that all people start from the same place, which isn’t true. Equity is about ensuring everyone receives the appropriate investment for where they are.

For example: under equality, everyone receives the same bike, which does not meet the needs of every person. With equity, recognizing each person starts at a different place, each cyclist receives the appropriate bike for them. The same principle is true of park use and access. Missoula Parks and Recreation works to ensure all residents have equitable access to programs and services, regardless of ethnic origin, socioeconomic level, color, language, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, race, or age.