Fort Missoula Regional Park (FMRP)
Fort Missoula Regional Park Master Plan
Imagine softball and soccer tournaments held on multi-sport fields at Fort Missoula as well as new restrooms, trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
The FMRP Master Plan also includes accessible gardens, water features, and places for activities such as croquet, climbing, volleyball, basketball, and skating. It encompasses the existing 60-acre County park as well as 98 acres the city purchased in 1998 using open space bond funds. The plan was developed by a local consultant, City staff, and the Fort Missoula Working Group, a focus group composed of interested citizens, local officials, and special interest representatives. Development of this truly regional park is expected to occur in phases over the next several years.
For more information, contact Parks and Recreation Director
Donna Gaukler, 406-552-6265.
Fort Missoula Regional Park
The FMRP, when completed, will include 246 acres of trails, picnic areas, ponds, and multi-use sports facilities. As demand for sports and park facilities increased, Parks and Recreation led a public process in 2001 and 2002 to develop a Master Site Plan for improvements to the park. Development of the park will occur in phases as funding becomes available. A number of avenues for funding, including state and federal dollars, are being explored.
Friends of FMRP continues to raise awareness for the park and seeks alternative funding options. A February 2008
public opinion poll showed overwhelming support for public funding to develop the park.
Preservation of historic and cultural elements of Fort Missoula have been a critical part of the planning process. Historic Fort Missoula was constructed in 1877 and has housed the U.S. Infantry, a military training post, and even a World War II internment camp. It was also the site of the largest Civilian Conservation Corp headquarters in the U.S. from 1933 to 1941.
Earlier this year, the city contracted with
DHM Design of Denver to take the 2002 Fort Missoula Master Site Plan adopted by the City Council and County Commission to the design detail stage. Western Cultural, Inc. has been working with the city to conduct the cultural resource investigation for the park. Staff and consultants presented these findings and unveiled the first stage of the design plan at a June 2008 public open house.
Fort Missoula Regional Park Timeline
- August 1995: City and county adopt Missoula Urban Area Open Space Plan
- September 1995: City Voters Pass $5 million Open Space Bond, search for land begins
- 1998: City purchases 100 acres from the University of Montana for a regional park
- 2001: Citizen and Stakeholder Working Group convenes to draft master site plan for Fort Missoula Regional Park; Following significant public involvement, the Working Group recommends plan move forward for approval
- 2002: Fort Missoula Regional Park Site Plan adopted by City Council and Board of County Commissioners
- 2002: JTL, Inc. gifts 84 acres at Fort Missoula to the city and agrees to provide services for park development
- 2002 to Present: City meets all requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Montana State Antiquities Act; Plans for preservation of Fort Missoula Historic District are completed
- 2007: Friends of Fort Missoula Regional Park, a consortium of park users and stakeholders, reconvenes to garner support for park development
- 2008: City hires a professional consultant team for landscape architecture, phasing, and engineering services to develop the adopted master site plan
- May 2008: Friends of FMRP begin silent development and fundraising period for capital campaign
- Dec 2008: City Council adopts FMRP Plan at Design Development Level, including historic preservation plan (Council Resolution 7383)
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