Fort Missoula Regional Park Addition

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Comment on the master plan for the former FMPR batting cages site

Parks and Recreation and the Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands Program invite residents to view and comment on the draft master plan for the Fort Missoula Regional Park Addition located at the former batting cages site, 3205 Fort Missoula Road.

Input from stakeholders and residents is critical to the success of the project. Please view the brief master plan presentation along with the plan itself, and add your questions or comments in the "Questions" section below. Public comment will be accepted at this site through August 22. Residents will have additional opportunities to comment as the design proceeds through the City's approval process. Upcoming meetings and opportunities for comment will be posted here.

Missoula County owns the .7-acre parcel. Until 2019, the property supported a privately operated batting cage business under a lease agreement with the County. After the lease term ended, the City and County agreed the area should be maintained and operated as part of Fort Missoula Regional Park. Planning is in consultation with the Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands Program.

Future uses of the site must be consistent with Land and Water Conservation Fund deed restrictions from 1978 and 1982; the site must be open, maintained and operated in perpetuity for public outdoor recreation. The vision is to integrate the parcel as a revitalized "park within a park" that offers high-quality passive and active outdoor recreation for nearby neighbors and park users while serving as a gateway and entrance into Fort Missoula Regional Park.

The construction timeline for the project is dependent on future funding. A publicly-approved comprehensive master plan allows Parks and Recreation to seek funding for park development via public and private partnerships, state and federal grants and local government contributions.

Project Vision

Based on the site's proximity to the Fort Missoula Historic District and findings from the 2019 community recreation needs assessment survey, proposed modifications and upgrades include the following.

• Adherence to Historic District conditions applicable to the entire park

• Removal of batting cages and building

• Add 2 to 3 pickleball courts

• Add up to two handball courts (clear-sided courts)

• Maintain the alee of trees along Fort Missoula Road

• Include a shaded, passive recreation area for walking, seating, and reflection

• Optimize site visibility into the area for safety

• Add an entry sign to identify the south entrance to Fort Missoula Regional Park

• Minor expansion of the current FMRP maintenance yard to support additional maintenance needs and enhance the park's user experience

• Preserve visibility and open space buffer around Watson's Children Center

For more information about the project, contact Parks and Recreation Systems and Services Superintendent David Selvage via email or at 552-6252.


Comment on the master plan for the former FMPR batting cages site

Parks and Recreation and the Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands Program invite residents to view and comment on the draft master plan for the Fort Missoula Regional Park Addition located at the former batting cages site, 3205 Fort Missoula Road.

Input from stakeholders and residents is critical to the success of the project. Please view the brief master plan presentation along with the plan itself, and add your questions or comments in the "Questions" section below. Public comment will be accepted at this site through August 22. Residents will have additional opportunities to comment as the design proceeds through the City's approval process. Upcoming meetings and opportunities for comment will be posted here.

Missoula County owns the .7-acre parcel. Until 2019, the property supported a privately operated batting cage business under a lease agreement with the County. After the lease term ended, the City and County agreed the area should be maintained and operated as part of Fort Missoula Regional Park. Planning is in consultation with the Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands Program.

Future uses of the site must be consistent with Land and Water Conservation Fund deed restrictions from 1978 and 1982; the site must be open, maintained and operated in perpetuity for public outdoor recreation. The vision is to integrate the parcel as a revitalized "park within a park" that offers high-quality passive and active outdoor recreation for nearby neighbors and park users while serving as a gateway and entrance into Fort Missoula Regional Park.

The construction timeline for the project is dependent on future funding. A publicly-approved comprehensive master plan allows Parks and Recreation to seek funding for park development via public and private partnerships, state and federal grants and local government contributions.

Project Vision

Based on the site's proximity to the Fort Missoula Historic District and findings from the 2019 community recreation needs assessment survey, proposed modifications and upgrades include the following.

• Adherence to Historic District conditions applicable to the entire park

• Removal of batting cages and building

• Add 2 to 3 pickleball courts

• Add up to two handball courts (clear-sided courts)

• Maintain the alee of trees along Fort Missoula Road

• Include a shaded, passive recreation area for walking, seating, and reflection

• Optimize site visibility into the area for safety

• Add an entry sign to identify the south entrance to Fort Missoula Regional Park

• Minor expansion of the current FMRP maintenance yard to support additional maintenance needs and enhance the park's user experience

• Preserve visibility and open space buffer around Watson's Children Center

For more information about the project, contact Parks and Recreation Systems and Services Superintendent David Selvage via email or at 552-6252.


Please share your questions or comments here.

Public comment accepted here through August 22. Residents will have additional opportunities to comment as the design proceeds through the City's approval process. Upcoming meetings and opportunities for comment will be posted here.

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  • Share David: I strongly support the preferred plan for development of the "batting cages" site. Speedy approval by the parties would be appreciated. Larry White on Facebook Share David: I strongly support the preferred plan for development of the "batting cages" site. Speedy approval by the parties would be appreciated. Larry White on Twitter Share David: I strongly support the preferred plan for development of the "batting cages" site. Speedy approval by the parties would be appreciated. Larry White on Linkedin Email David: I strongly support the preferred plan for development of the "batting cages" site. Speedy approval by the parties would be appreciated. Larry White link

    David: I strongly support the preferred plan for development of the "batting cages" site. Speedy approval by the parties would be appreciated. Larry White

    Larry asked over 2 years ago

    Thanks for your feedback, Mr. White!

  • Share How do we pay for this? on Facebook Share How do we pay for this? on Twitter Share How do we pay for this? on Linkedin Email How do we pay for this? link

    How do we pay for this?

    Shawn asked over 2 years ago

    Great question, Shawn. Like most Parks projects, funding could come from a wide variety of sources, including private donations, grants, partnerships, City and County operating budgets and user fees. If the proposed park master plan is approved, local sports groups have indicated they would be willing to fundraise to pay for the new courts. The proposed maintenance yard expansion would likely be funded from a combination of City/County FMRP operating funds and user fees, as recreational demand at the Fort has increased the need for additional maintenance space. There are a few grant programs that could be potential funding sources for adding recreation features.

Page published: 05 Aug 2021, 09:26 AM