Missoula Parks and Recreation is seeking public comment on draft master plans for two new bike skills parks. Residents may review the site plans and respond to a brief questionnaire through Friday, April 22. Highlights of the plans are described in this presentation from a March 23 public open house. Construction on the new facilities in Bellevue and Syringa parks could start as soon as this summer.
A bike skills course is a dedicated parks and recreation facility that includes mountain bike trails, jumps and progressive skill areas for all ages and abilities. Generally, a bike park’s natural vegetation and terrain is left in place to minimize impacts on the environment and the neighborhood. Citizen interest in bike skills parks has risen substantially in the last decade, and bike parks offer children and adults a fun way to play outside and stay active.
Parks and Recreation, along with Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands, has been conducting a public planning process since November, 2015 to design the mountain bike skills courses as well as a master site plan for Syringa Park. Representatives from the International Mountain Bicycle Association (IMBA) have been involved in the process to help design high-quality bike skills amenities within a neighborhood park setting. IMBA is a leader in bike park development with experience from projects around the world.
Bellevue Park is located at 3925 Paxson St., and Syringa Park is located on Lower Lincoln Hills Dr.
The projects are funded by a combination of impact fees, City and County park funds and in-kind services, donations from the Tanner Olson Memorial Foundation, and a grant from the International Mountain Bicycle Association. For more information, visit the Missoula Parks and Recreation Website.
Syringa-Bellevue Public Comment Questionnaire
Syringa-Bellevue Site Plans
Syringa-Bellevue Open House Presentation