Residents ask Lewistown to fund sidewalk at Sims Park, citing safety hazards

During public comment, resident Les Long requested installation of a sidewalk along the west side of Sims Park, saying erosion and large dips created hazardous walking conditions for park users, farmers-market vendors and pickleball players.

Long said he has personally seen people trip and fall and asked the commission to consider a sidewalk that would improve safety and access to picnic areas and the ball field. Commenters and commissioners discussed project scope, which one participant estimated could require about 250 feet of sidewalk and be costly; commissioners noted sidewalks in parks are atypical in Lewistown and that the park and recreation board’s capital improvement plan and grants would likely be the route for funding.

City staff said the Park & Rec board is reviewing improvements to several parks and that a memorandum of understanding with a local pickleball group is under discussion. The Central Montana Foundation and state grant programs were mentioned as potential funding partners; residents said they had found a sponsor candidate and were willing to pursue fundraising.

City Manager Holly Phelps said staff is aware of the concerns and that the commission would see the idea routed through the appropriate boards. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff and residents agreed to continue conversations about scope, funding and whether the work should be a capital improvement project.