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Missoula County approves $90,000 in FY25 parks and recreation grants
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Summary
County commissioners approved $90,000 in Community Parks and Recreation grants to fund playground replacement, a picnic pavilion, trail improvements, interpretive installations, and a seasonal ice rink across Missoula County.
Missoula County commissioners approved the FY25 Community Parks and Recreation grant awards, allocating $90,000 to local parks, trails and recreation projects across the county.
County staff presenter Bethany Gunther told the board the program had $90,000 available this year and highlighted five recommended projects: $29,470 for a playground replacement at Bonner Elementary School (sponsored by the Bonner Parent Teacher Association); $20,000 for a universally accessible picnic pavilion at Clinton Community Park (internally sponsored by PTOL with the Clinton Community Park Working Group); $15,000 for seating and audio/visual interpretive installations at the Rock Creek Confluence property (5 Valleys Land Trust); $15,000 toward initial work on a planned 28-mile multiuse trail network in Seeley Lake (Scenic Montana Trails, initial 7.5-mile work estimated at part of a $1,250,000, 3–10 year effort); and $10,530 to construct a seasonal ice-skating rink at Westview Park in Lolo (sponsored by the Lolo Community Council).
"This year, grants program had $90,000 available to fund parks, trails, and recreation projects across Missoula County," Bethany Gunther said. She described safety and accessibility upgrades for Bonner Elementary’s playground and said the Clinton pavilion would broaden the skate park's appeal by providing covered, accessible gathering space.
Board members and members of the public asked questions about specific project details. A commissioner raised concern about visible cracking in the Clinton skate-park concrete; Gunther said the installing contractor, Evergreen Skateparks, described the fissures as hairline cracks and recommended a concrete treatment every other year, and staff plan to include a treatment schedule in the park’s operating plan. On funding source, when asked "where do the grants come from?" Gunther replied, "It is appropriated every year within our budgets. It is taxpayer dollars." (transcript timestamps: presenter remarks and Q&A).
A board member moved approval of the FY25 Community Parks and Recreation grants; a second was recorded and the commissioners voted in favor.
Why it matters: the awards fund safety, accessibility and new recreation opportunities across multiple Missoula County communities, from Bonner and Clinton to Seeley Lake and Lolo. Several projects (the Seeley Lake trail system and the Rock Creek Confluence improvements) emphasize universal access and interpretive elements intended to serve users with mobility, auditory and visual impairments.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the FY25 Community Parks and Recreation grant package as presented (motion moved and seconded; "All in favor, aye").
