The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘City Parks & Recreation’ Category

FWP REMINDER: Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

As you make plans for the July 4th holiday, be sure to review these precautionary steps to “Be Bear Aware”:... more

Sheep Return to City Open Space, Some Areas Temporarily Closed to Dogs

The City of Missoula’s wooliest employees are back this summer to help with noxious weed control on City Open Space.... more

City Sponsors Christmas Ever-Green Tree Recycling Program

The City of Missoula is hosting its annual Christmas Ever-Green tree recycling program, Dec. 26 to Jan. 14. Residents may drop off cut Christmas trees at three area parks and at Garden City Compost to be recycl... more

Public Invited to Marshall Mountain Celebration September 12

Missoula Parks and Recreation invites residents to tour the new Marshall Mountain Park on Sunday, September 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.... more

Dry, Hot Conditions Call For Special Consideration When Living With Wildlife

More than 70 percent of Montana is experiencing severe drought conditions. You can help avoid conflicts with wildlife by following these suggestions:... more

FWP Announces Updates to COVID-19-Related Closures and Suspensions

People looking to get outside and enjoy spring will continue to have ample opportunities with Gov. Steve Bullock's phased approach to re-opening the state.... more

State Lands Remain Open For Day Use

Fish Wildlife and Parks adjusts facility management in response to COVID-19; and state lands remain open for day use. ... more

Memorial Rose Garden Volunteer Workday Slated for October 26

By BECKY GOODRICH - Parks and Recreation and the Missoula Rose Society invite residents to volunteer in the Garden, located at 800 Brooks, on Saturday, October 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.... more

Mount JumboNorth Zone to Remain Closed until May 15

By BECKY GOODRICH - Parks and Recreation, in consultation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, has extended the winter wildlife closure for Mount Jumbo’s North Zone.... more

High Water is Dangerous. Don’t Go!

Snowmelt creates high water in our streams and rivers. You might want to get out there in your boat, but high water can be deadly when conditions are too extreme for safe boating.... more

27th Annual Run for the Trees Slated For April 20th

By BECKY GOODRICH - Celebrate National Arbor Month with a fun walk or run along the Riverfront trail system.... more

Missoula in Motion Launches January Clear the Air Challenge

For the month of January, Missoula In Motion will challenge citizens to reduce the amount of C02 they emit into the air by trying to limit their solo driving trips.... more

City Sponsors Christmas Ever-Green Tree Recycling Program

By BECKY GOODRICH - The City of Missoula is hosting its annual Christmas Ever-Green tree recycling program, December 26 to January 15. ... more

An Essay on a Bird Feeder

By BRUCE AUCHLY - All animals that spend at least part of their lives in Montana have three strategies for coping with winter: leave, go to sleep or tough it out.... more

Memorial Rose Garden Volunteer Project Slated for October 27

By BECKY GOODRICH - Parks and Recreation is hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.... more

Fort Missoula Regional Park Hosts Old-Fashioned Fall Family Fest on Oct 20

By BECKY GOODRICH - Fort Missoula Regional Park invites kids and their families to the 18th Annual Fall Family Fest and Kaboom! Play Day on Saturday, October 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.... more

Tips for Tennis Parents

Being a tennis parent requires finding the right balance between being a parent and a coach, a cheerleader and a neutral entity in the audience.... more

7th Annual Doggie Dash Slated for September 8 at Fort Missoula

By BECKY GOODRICH - Missoula Parks & Recreation invites you and your four-legged friends to the 7th annual Doggie Dash Pet Expo and Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Fort Missoula Regional Park West.... more

Stage II Fire Restrictions to Begin Friday on City Open Space

By BECKY GOODRICH - Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday 8/10, on City of Missoula open space and conservation lands, including Mount Sentinel, the North Hills, Mount Jumbo.... more

Over 140 Players Break in New Fort Missoula Regional Park Pickleball Courts

By BECKY GOODRICH - Over 140 pickleball players, ranging in age from 17 to 84, will compete in Missoula this weekend at the fifth annual Montana Open pickleball tournament.... more

Kidsfest 2018 Slated for July 24 at Caras Park

Join us for Kidsfest 2018, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.... more

Fort Missoula Regional Park Phase 2 Grand Opening Slated for July 26

By BECKY GOODRICH - The public is invited to the Fort Missoula Regional Park Phase II Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 6 to 10 p.m. ... more

Sheep Return to City Open Space, Pet Owners Required to Leash Dogs Near Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH - Visitors to City open space are reminded: leash your dog when hiking near grazing sheep this summer.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Opens Friday, March 30

By BECKY GOODRICH - Mount Jumbo’s South Zone will reopen to public use on Friday, March 30, bringing the area’s annual winter wildlife closure to a close.... more

Fort Missoula Regional Park Hosts Old-Fashioned Fall Family Fest on Oct 21

By BECKY GOODRICH - Fall is here… it’s time for hayrides, apple cider and old-fashioned family fun! ... more

Light up the Night at Fort Missoula Glow Fest

By BECKY GOODRICH - GLOW FEST, an evening celebration of all things luminous on Friday, September 8, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Fort Missoula Regional Park. ... more

Over 100 Players to Compete in Regional Pickeball Tournament

By BECKY GOODRICH - Over 100 pickleball players from multiple states will be in Missoula this weekend for the fourth annual Montana Open pickleball tournament at Playfair Park.  ... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone closure Extended to March 31

By BECKY GOODRICH - The Mount Jumbo winter wildlife closure has been extended to protect wintering elk. The area traditionally opens March 15.... more

Fall Into Fun With Parks and Recreation

Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for these exciting recreation and aquatics programs. Call 721-PARK to register or stop by Currents Aquatics Center in McCormick Park. ... more

Parks and Recreation Hosts Old-Fashioned Family Fest on Oct. 22

It’s fall—time for hayrides, apple cider and old-fashioned harvest celebrations brought to you by the folks at Missoula Parks and Recreation.... more

30+ Things for Kids to Do in Missoula, Montana

By LINDA McCARTHY - I am amazed at how many free and low cost things there are to do with kids in Missoula, Montana. My daughter and I compiled a list of more than 30 Things to Do With Kids in Missoula:... more

Parks and Rec and Missoula Youth Rugby Celebrate Free Olympic Day Event

By BECKY GOODRICH -Kids and families are invited to a free Olympic Day celebration on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Playfair Park.... more

5th Annual Doggie Dash Expo and Fun Run May 15

Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 5th annual Doggie Dash pet expo and fun run on Sun., May 15, at Silver Park. ... more

Mount Jumbo North Zone Opens May 1

By BECKY GOODRICH - All areas on Mount Jumbo. north of Saddle Road will re-open to the public on Sunday, May 1.... more

Kids, Families Invited to FREE Unplug and Play! Kick-Off Celebration on May 1

Families are invited to the 5th annual Let’s Move! Missoula: Unplug and Play! kick-off celebration on Sunday, May 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick Park. ... more

24th Annual Run for the Trees Slated for April 16

Celebrate National Arbor Month with a fun walk or run along the Riverfront trail system. The 24th annual Run for The Trees is Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. at Silver Park.... more

Public Comment Sought on Bike Skills Parks Through April 22

Missoula Parks and Recreation is seeking public comment on draft master plans for two new bike skills parks through Friday, April 22.... more

Is Spring Early or Late?

By BRUCE AUCHLY - The warm weather of February and early March could lead one to believe in an early spring, which feels nice but is not necessarily a good thing.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Re-Opens March 22

Mount Jumbo’s South Zone, including the Saddle Road and all points south of the road, re-opens to the public on Tuesday, March 22.... more

City Council Approves 12 New Playgrounds

The City Council unanimously approved the purchase and installation of of new playground equipment for 12 playgrounds throughout Missoula.... more

Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain Feb 6

By BECKY GOODRICH-Join Parks and Recreation for the second annual Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain on Saturday, February 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... more

Winter Survival is For the Birds

By BRUCE AUCHLY -At this time of year, If we humans go outside we dress for the weather.Birds that do not migrate, have evolved some ingenious ways to dress for the weather, to stay alive.... more

Parks and Recreation To Recycle Christmas Trees

Missoula Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division is inviting citizens to drop off their cut Christmas trees at area parks to be recycled into productive mulch.... more

Mount Jumbo Wildlife Closure Begins December 1

By BECKY GOODRICH-Most of Mount Jumbo closes to recreational use during the winter months to protect wintering elk. Read more about the closures areas.... more

Public Invited to Fort Missoula Regional Park Ground Breaking this Saturday

By BECKY GOODRICH for Missoula Parks and Recreation Citizens are invited to a ground breaking celebration for Fort Missoula Regional Park on Saturday, October 10 at 10 a.m.  Grading and site preparation for... more

Parks and Recreation Hosts Free Pickball Event this Saturday

By BECKY GOODRICH - Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for the 4th Annual Pickleball Palooza on Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fort Missoula tennis courts. ... more

ATTENTION Missoula Dogs: Bark for Life Event Oct 3, at Silver Park

By PAM VOTH - Missoula Dogs, grab your leash and your human and let’s have some fun at the Bark for Life event on Oct 3 at Silver Park!... more

Parks and Recreation Hosts “Too Much Fun Tuesdays” in Area Parks

Parks and Recreation hosts “Too Much Fun Tuesdays” in area parks Join Missoula Parks and Recreation on Tuesdays this fall for unique recreation programs in neighborhood parks. ... more

City Discontinues Curbside Pickpup of Storm Debris

With 90 percent of the storm debris cleared, citizens are asked to discontinue placing tree debris from private yards on the boulevards as curbside debris pickup has ended.... more

Phase II of Silver Summit Playground Opens Saturday

The public is invited to the Phase II opening celebration of Silver Summit Playground on Sat., Aug. 22 at 11am. Phase I of the all-abilities playground opened last fall.... more