Missoula Parks & Recreation’s Guiding Mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by:

Our Vision Statement:

Missoula Parks and Recreation is essential to the quality and way of life for individuals, families, community and the environment.

A New Park on Lafray Lane

View the site plan

The Emma Dickinson-River Road neighborhood is about to have its own 1.5-acre neighborhood park! Construction of the park on Lafray Lane is scheduled to begin as early as Monday, April 7, 2008.

After years of searching for property and adequate funding, land was purchased for a neighborhood park. A successful neighborhood design process was conducted, followed by construction document development and a competitive bid process.

This project includes Phase I development. When complete, you can expect a small non-fruit bearing orchard, connecting trails, irrigated lawns and landscape beds. The Department has worked closely with your Neighborhood Council and area residents, as well as the City Council, to design and fund the park. Primary funding sources for your park are developer impact fees, a community development block grant, the 1995 open space bond and “cash-in-lieu of parkland” funds.

Please keep in mind that it will take a few months for the grasses and trees to establish their root zones, and we ask that you stay off the landscaped areas for some time after installation. We project that the park’s vegetation and plantings will start to take shape in June of 2009.

Parks and Recreation continues to work to find funds for the addition of playground equipment, a restroom and other typical neighborhood park features. (Phase II of the project.)

Contractors may be on site from 7am to 6pm, April 7 through July 30 (dates may vary slightly due to weather conditions.) You may view the construction site plan at: http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/parksrec/current.htm

Please expect slight inconveniences as the construction takes place. If you do have a concern, please contact Parks Project Coordinator, Alan White, at 552-6261.

Thank you for your patience and support of this project.

Dave Shaw, Parks and Trail Design and Development Manager (dshaw@ci.missoula.mt.us)

Alan White, Parks Project Coordinator (awhite@ci.mssoula.mt.us)

Memorial Rose Garden Master Site Planning Process

Site Plan and Guidelines   Survey Questionnaire

Missoula Parks and Recreation presented a draft of the Memorial Rose Garden Master Site Plan on Thursday, March 20, 2008.  About 20 citizens attended the open house and commented on the plan. 

The Missoulian newspaper previewed the meeting on March 19. http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/03/19/news/mtregional/news08.txt

The draft site plan is available here and at Parks and Recreation headquarters at Currents Aquatics Center in McCormick Park.  Public comment will be accepted until March 31.  The plan will be submitted to the Parks and Recreation Board and City Council in April.   For more information, contact Parks and Recreation Parks and Trails Development Manager Dave Shaw  at 552-6264 or dshaw@ci.missoula.mt.us.

The planning process, which began last May, has included extensive public input, research of historical documents, and a site survey. The proposed plan emphasizes the importance and significance of the memorials and monuments, including the Rose Garden itself.  It also allows for future monuments honoring those who have lost their lives for our safety, protection and freedom.  The plan allows for ADA access, a restroom, and a gathering space for special events such the Memorial Day ceremony.  The draft plan enhances the memorial experience in the park with walkways and contemplative spaces, and creates separate spaces for remembrances, small gatherings and casual neighborhood use.

Following public input, the draft Master Site Plan will be edited to reflect changes as needed and then be presented to the City Parks and Recreation Board and City Council for adoption. A park master plan is a general guide for appropriate park uses and their approximate location within a specific park site. The plan serves as a long-range vision (10-20 year timeframe) for future development and programming. The plan is conceptual in nature and not intended to address detailed issues related to engineered site design or park operations.  

Because of the Park’s visibility and popularity, Parks and Recreation receives numerous requests for memorial trees, benches, statues, pavers, and other improvements.  The Park is also frequently requested for weddings, public events, and special ceremonies.   Parks Department staff has decided it is time to seek guidance from citizens and park stakeholders, like veteran’s groups and the Missoula Rose Society, about a long-term vision for the park and plans for future park improvements.  

The Master Site Plan helps define the community’s vision for the park, but does not identify funding sources for park improvements.  “The City has no immediate plans to implement specific changes to the park," says Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler.  “Rather, the Master Site Plan simply gives us a blueprint to follow when funding becomes available or as requests are received from citizens and stakeholders.”

Memorial Rose Garden Park was established in 1944 by the city and the Missoula Rose Society to commemorate members of the armed forced killed in World War II.  It has since become the site for memorials dedicated to casualties of America's conflicts including Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf and Korea.  In addition, there are a variety of other memorials throughout the park, including the Missoula Law Enforcement Memorial.  The Missoula Rose Society purchases and maintains over 2000 roses in several beds throughout the park.  In April 1999, the Missoula Memorial Rose Garden was designated as a "State Veteran's Memorial Rose Garden" and the Korean War Memorial as a "State Korean War Memorial."  Both are shown on official Montana State Highway maps.

For more information, contact:

Dave Shaw

Parks & Trails Design / Development

600 Cregg Lane

Missoula, MT. 59801

Phone: (406) 552-6264

Fax: (406) 327-2162

dshaw@ci.missoula.mt.us

Fort Missoula Regional Park work continues. Watch for a public open house to learn and provide comment on the historic and archaeological research conducted by Western Cultural, Inc. The City has engaged the professional services of DHM Design to take our community created and adopted master site plan to design development detail. In addition, we will learn options for phasing park development and gain cost estimates.  Friends of FMRP continue to raise awareness for the Park and seek alternative funding options.  A February, 2008 public opinion poll  showed overwhelming support for public funding to develop the park.

Department Presentation to City Council Conservation Committee 2-20-08

Friends of Fort Missoula Regional Park Public Opinion Survey February 2008

Imagine softball and soccer tournaments held on multi-sport fields at Fort Missoula as well as new restrooms, trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas! The master plan also includes accessible gardens, water features, and places for activities such as croquet, climbing, volleyball, basketball, and skating. It encompasses the existing 60-acre County park as well as 98 acres the City purchased in 1998 using open space bond funds. The plan was developed by a local consultant, City staff, and the Fort Missoula Working Group, a focus group composed of interested citizens, local officials, and special interest representatives. Development of this truly regional park is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. A number of avenues for funding, including state and federal dollars, are being explored. Check out the park master plan.

Results of Preliminary Historical and Historical Archaeological Investigations, Fort Missoula, Phase One 

Pineview Park  March 08 Update

At the request of Rattlesnake residents, the City Council approved a Special Improvement District (SID) for Pineview Park in January of this year.  Neighborhood residents asked for funding to construct a park restroom and to replace failing playground equipment and tennis and basketball courts in the 4.5-acre park.  An SID funds City infrastructure improvements via property taxes for a specified term.  The Pineview SID affects about 1,700 property owners in the Rattlesnake neighborhood and will result in increased property taxes of about $35 per year for 20 years.  The Pineview Park restoration project is projected to cost approximately $750,000. 

As of March, 2008, the project remains in the design/development phase. Citizens and the Pineview Park Board have been reviewing the master site plan since November, 2007.  City staff and design consultants are currently integrating citizen feedback into the master site plan.  Once Parks and Recreation and neighborhood representatives agree on a site plan, the City will solicit construction bids.  When an acceptable (within budget) construction contract is approved by the City Council, weather conditions will dictate when construction begins.  Parks and Recreation is hard at work with neighborhood representatives and the landscape design consultant to craft a mutually acceptable site plan and get the construction process underway as soon as possible.

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation Parks and Trails Development Manager Dave Shaw at 552-6264. For more information about the history of Pineview Park and the Pineview Park Board, visit www.pineviewpark.com.

SID Site Plan and Budget

Long-Range Master Site Plan

PROPOSED GRAVEL BIKE/PEDESTRIAN TRAIL IN SOUTH HILLS (Tonkin Trail)

The 39th Street Neighborhood Council is requesting comments on a Recreational Trails Program Application (grant) for a gravel bike/pedestrian trail connecting Hillview Way to Clearview Drive in the South Hills area. The proposed trail would be located on private property, just east of Hillview Way, in a 12-foot easement dedicated to non-motorized public access. The grant being applied for would help pay for the construction of a 5-foot wide gravel trail and a fence along the easement line to corral livestock. This trail project has the approval of the Parks & Recreation Department, the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board, the 39th Street Neighborhood Council, the Moose Can Gully Neighborhood Council and others.

Final Recreational Trails Program Application can be viewed at the Parks & Recreation Department at 600 Cregg Lane during normal business hours or here on the website after March 31, 2008.

The comment period will run from April 1st through May 1st 2008. Please send comments to Dave Shaw, Parks & Trails Design Manager via e-mail at dshaw@ci.missoula.mt.us, by mail to 600 Cregg Lane, Missoula, Montana 59801 or by telephone at 406-552-6264.

Parks and Recreation Seeks Citizen Input on Memorial Rose Garden

May 28 is Memorial Day—a day to honor the men and women who have died in service to our country.  The Memorial Rose Garden on Brooks and Mount commemorates their sacrifice the rest of the year.  As requests for public events and monuments in the park increase, Parks and Recreation is asking for citizen input to create a master plan for the park.  Beginning May 29, citizens may complete an interest survey or pick one up at Currents Aquatics Center.  Call 721-PARK to request a mailed copy.

Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler says the park is one of Missoula’s favorite places. “Missoula’s Memorial Rose Garden Park fulfills an important role in our memory and recognition of those who have given their lives for our freedoms and protection, it meets the needs of area citizens as a neighborhood park, and it hosts our beautiful rose gardens.  The Park itself tells a story of our Garden City as it has hosted numerous weddings, reunions, services, and community events.” Because of the Park’s visibility and popularity, Parks and Recreation receives numerous requests for memorial trees, benches, statues, pavers, and other improvements.  The Park is also frequently requested for weddings, public events, and special ceremonies.   Parks Department staff has decided it is time to seek guidance from citizens and park stakeholders, like veteran’s groups and the Missoula Rose Society, about a long-term vision for the park and plans for future park improvements.

Veteran’s groups will be closely involved with the planning process.  “The park is important to all veterans—not just the ones represented by the memorials, but for the veterans coming back now from Afghanistan and Iraq.  The memorials in the park are not memorials to war, but to the bravery of the veterans who have answered their country’s call and defended freedom,” said Charlie Crookshanks, Chairman of the Korean War Memorial committee. 

Memorial Rose Garden Park was established in 1944 by the city and the Missoula Rose Society to commemorate members of the armed forced killed in World War II.  It has since become the site for memorials dedicated to casualties of America's conflicts including Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf and Korea.  In addition, there are variety of other memorials throughout the park, including the Missoula Law Enforcement Memorial.  The Missoula Rose Society purchases and maintains over 2000 roses in several beds throughout the park.  In April 1999, the Missoula Memorial Rose Garden was designated as a "State Veteran's Memorial Rose Garden" and the Korean War Memorial as a "State Korean War Memorial."  Both are shown on official Montana State Highway maps.

The planning process begins with a survey, which citizens may access on the Parks and Recreation website, www.missoulaparks.org, or by phoning 721-7275 after May 29.  Parks and Recreation expects to have extensive public involvement in the plan, including the survey, a public open house, and review by the Parks and Recreation Board.   For more information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler, at 552-6265 or dgaukler@ci.missoula.mt.us.

A New Plan For McCormick Park

McCormick Park Master Site Plan

Work is underway to implement the McCormick Park Master Site Plan which was adopted in July, 2003.  A design team has been selected for the new skate park, partners are being sought for the community center, and the design process for the new swimming pool has begun. Expect limited trail and street improvements this fall, new tennis and basketball courts and a new restroom by winter 2006.  Parks and Recreation is exploring funding options for other parts of the park plan.

The Master Plan includes a 40,000 square-foot indoor aquatics and cultural community center, the skate park, improved riverbank access and a redesigned skating and fishing pond.  View the plan at the Parks and Recreation office or www.missoulaparks.org.

Site plan in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format

Results of Preliminary Historical and Historical Archaeological Investigations, Fort Missoula, Phase One 

Please note:  This document is in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format: The report is 3.45MB and may take several minutes to download using a 28.8kbps modem. You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this document.

Fast Facts about the Regional Park at Fort Missoula

Imagine softball and soccer tournaments held on brand new fields at Fort Missoula as well as new restrooms, trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas! The master plan also includes accessible gardens, water features, and places for activities such as croquet, climbing, volleyball, basketball, and skating. It encompasses the existing 60-acre County park as well as 98 acres the City purchased in 1998 using open space bond funds. The plan was developed by a local consultant, City staff, and the Fort Missoula Working Group, a focus group composed of interested citizens, local officials, and special interest representatives. Development of this truly regional park is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. A number of avenues for funding, including state and federal dollars, are being explored. Check out the park master plan.