City Sees Many Improvements Through Adoption of the Park District

DATE:            August 26, 2022

CONTACT:    Patty Rearden, Deputy Park and Recreation Director

                      Steve Herrig, Park and Recreation Director

                      406-771-1265

City Sees Many Improvements Through Adoption of the Park District

          GREAT FALLS, Montana – Park and Recreation is proud to announce that the citizens of Great Falls are now enjoying the large number of improvements made to Park and Recreation’s parks and facilities thanks to the adoption of Great Falls Park District No. 1.  To further increase the funding for projects, staff applied for and received several grants making it possible to do more with the available funds.

          The purpose of creating the Park District was to provide certain maintenance, purchasing, and improvement services for City-owned facilities, land, and equipment under the responsibility and care of the City of Great Falls Park and Recreation Department.  Previous funding did not allow for adequate maintenance of facilities and parks.  Creation of the Park District has helped fund the deferred maintenance and it will prevent removal or closure of many amenities.

          Great Falls voters supported the creation of the Park District. On May 8th, electors adopted the proposition to create Great Falls Park District No. 1 by a vote of 8,320 for and 6,776 against.  On June 5, the City Commission adopted Resolution 10238 to officially create Great Falls Park District No. 1.

    Completed projects include:

• Electric City Water Park Bathhouse Remodel
• Gibson Park Restroom Remodel
• Multi Sports Dugouts/Backstops for Fields 5, 6, 7, & 8
• Jaycee Park Improvements –  New Pavilion, Pickleball Courts, Basketball Courts and ADA Sidewalks
• Gibson Park Trail Resurface
• Irrigation Upgrades
• River’s Edge Trail Matching Funds for Grants (3 years)
• Tree Planting (3 years)
• Grande Vista Park – New Play Structure/Border/Mulch, Resurfaced Trail and Basketball Court, New ADA Sidewalk
• Gibson Park Basketball Courts
• Girl Scout Cabin New Roof
• Purchase of Forestry Equipment
• Elks Riverside Park Trail
• Oddfellows Park – New Restroom
• Electric City Water Park – New Roofs on Concession and Guard Hut
• Jaycee Pool Restroom Remodel
• Water Tower Pool Restroom Remodel
• Gibson Pond Wall Repair
• Lions Park Restroom
• Turf Maintenance Program (3 years)

          For more information, check out the City website at https://greatfallsmt.net/recreation/great-falls-park-district-number-1, or call the Park and Recreation Office at 406-771-1265.

          More projects, funded by the Park District will be coming soon and will continue on through the life of the approved district (20 years).  In addition, the new Indoor Aquatics and Recreation Center is being funded through a federal grant with matching funds from the Park District.  The Center will open in spring of 2024.

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