Caras Park Phase 1 is Complete!

Phase 1 improvements to Caras Park included a reconstructed amphitheater with more flexibility and increased capacity, a wider Ron's River trail, an improved multi-purpose lawn, and updated electrical, lighting, and circulation. Hidden under the new park is a new stormwater infiltration gallery designed to reduce runoff water and pollutants entering the Clark Fork River.

These improvements represent a significant investment by the private sector (Downtown Missoula Partnership) and the City of Missoula, highlighting the value of public-private partnerships.

Beartracks Underbridge Playground

Initial improvements to the Beartracks Underbridge include painting, basketball, table tennis, cornhole and picnic tables. The new underbridge playground is open, rain or shine!

Caras River Access...Coming Soon!

Phase 2 includes the improved river access at Brenan's Wave. The project was funded in part by the Economic Development Administration. The project is currently in design development, and construction is expected to begin in late 2023/2024.

Downtown SAM Improvements

The Downtown SAM project includes major improvements to Ron's River Trail from Front Street into Kiwanis Park and an ADA-accessible ramp from the east side of Beartracks Bridge to East Caras Park.

Ron's River Trail will be widened to 18 feet, following the pattern established in Caras Park. This wider trail will follow the river from just east of Orange Street Bridge all the way to Levasseur Street in Bess Reed Park, completing the "riverfront promenade" through Caras, East Caras, and Bess Reed Parks, as imagined in the North Riverside Parks and Trails Plan. This promenade will significantly increase the capacity, functionality, and accessibility of the riverfront trail system.

The ADA ramp from Beartracks Bridge will provide a critical accessible route into riverfront parks from downtown. This ramp is envisioned as not just an ADA access but a primary entrance to the parks that will offer expansive views of the parks, the river, and downtown, enhancing everyone's visitor experience, whether on foot, on a bike, or in a wheelchair.

A Collective Vision For Missoula's Downtown Riverside Parks

The plan includes updated designs for Caras, East Caras, Bess Reed, Kiwanis, and Downtown Lions Parks, as well as Ron's River Trail.

The vision for these parks came from Missoulians and resulted from more than a year of public outreach, stakeholder meetings, surveys, and design work. The plan strives to update and enhance the parks with multi-use spaces and year-round activities, create better trail connections and gateways, update materials and landscaping, and ensure enhancements to the riverfront respect natural processes while providing better access for everyone.

The plan is the work of the Downtown Missoula Partnership, City of Missoula Parks & Recreation Department, Dover, Kohl & Partners, IMEG, and Jennie Meinershagen, Landscape Architect.

THE PLANS

NearTerm Plan	Long Term Plan
Kiwanis Park	Downtown Lions Park
Ron's River Trail	Design Report (best viewed as a 2-page spread in a PDF viewer)