Montana Officials Celebrate Milltown Park as Superfund Project Success

On July 18, 2025, the City of Missoula celebrated the dedication of Milltown State Park, a significant milestone in the community's environmental restoration efforts. The event highlighted the collaborative work of various partners, including government agencies and local organizations, who played crucial roles in transforming a former Superfund site into a vibrant public space.

During the ceremony, Doug Martin, the restoration program chief for the Montana Natural Resource Damage Program, acknowledged the contributions of key partners, including representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Atlantic Richfield Company. Martin emphasized the importance of community support in the success of the project, noting that the dedication of local residents was vital to the park's development.

Henry Elson, an attorney with the EPA, reflected on the agency's long history with the site, which began with one of the first Superfund remediation actions in the nation in 1984. He underscored the EPA's current focus on land use, aiming to ensure that cleaned-up areas serve as productive parts of the community. Elson praised the collaborative spirit among the various stakeholders, which he credited for the project's success.

Libby Hanson, deputy operations manager for Atlantic Richfield Company, described the park's location at the confluence of two rivers as symbolic of the collaborative effort that brought the project to fruition. She expressed her hope that the park would foster a sense of respect for natural resources among future generations.

The dedication ceremony not only celebrated the park's opening but also served as a reminder of the community's resilience and commitment to environmental stewardship. As Milltown State Park opens its doors to the public, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and enhancing local quality of life. The event concluded with a call for continued community engagement to ensure the park remains a cherished resource for years to come.