Clinton Community Park Planning

• The reuse plan identified the establishment of a skatepark as an essential element within the plan.
• The Clinton Skatepark Project focused on design and construction of a 7,000-8,000 square foot multiuse skatepark facility within Missoula County's Clinton Community Park. Within walking distance of the Clinton School and easily accessible to surrounding neighborhoods, this project was the first step in returning the park to a vibrant gathering space.
• Prior to the Clinton Community Park planning process, the Montana Skatepark Association and Jeff Ament, through his nonprofit "Montana Pool Service," pledged funding toward construction of a skatepark at this location. Since early 2023, the Working Group actively fundraised for the project. In Aug. 2023, the Working Group, in collaboration with PTOL staff, had raised $110,861 of cash and in-kind donations to compliment the $100,000 committed to the project by the Montana Pool Service (Jeff Arment's nonprofit), and $50,000 by the Montana Skatepark Association. Since then, the Working Group, in collaboration with PTOL staff, has raised an additional $50,475 of cash and grant contributions towards supporting amenities, maintenance seed funding and Clinton School skate camps.
• Around 20% of the total skatepark construction cost was sourced directly from County funds. All other funding included within the County share of the project cost was sourced from cash and in-kind donations received through grant and foundation awards, as well as the generous contributions of local businesses and contractors.
• Missoula County worked with Evergreen Skateparks, which specializes in building skateparks, to construct this. They integrated a concrete pump track and learning area into the site design, with flatter, slower features for beginners.
• The Clinton Community Park Working Group, Missoula County PTOL and City of Missoula Parks and Recreation have been working with the Clinton School to bring a ‘All Abilities Skateboarding Class’ as an option for the After School Program in May 2024. Thanks to the Working Group's fundraising efforts, all of the operational, registration and gear giveaway costs for two, three-day skate camps are now funded. Students will learn how to fall, how to find their balance and to turn the board – walking away with new skills, confidence and moves.

• Originally built as a church in 1910, the Community Center moved to its current location in the northeast corner of the community park in 1974. The building has historic interest in the community, but it has been heavily altered, including an addition, since it moved from its original location. Because of this, the Montana State Historic Preservation Office expressed it is not eligible for listing.
• The building was previously used as a community center but has been vacant for around four years. A volunteer group originally ran it.
• In its current condition, the building is dilapidated, with various structural and environmental hazards. The Targeted Brownfields Assessment for the park included sampling and analysis in and around the community center for these hazards. This analysis showed high levels of mold and lead-based paint, as well as limited quantities of asbestos-containing materials. Soils surrounding the building also contain lead, likely from the paint on the exterior of the building.
• The question for the County and community is whether the existing community center should be restored and possibly expanded, or does it need to be demolished and removed, and if it is removed, should a new one be constructed in its place? The answer depends on identifying a sustainable partnership model for maintenance and acquiring funding for capital improvements. One of the first steps is looking into how much the Brownfield grant can cover.
• After months of community engagement, the County can see how much Clinton would value a community center. Missoula County will use the Brownfield grant funding to explore cleanup options and alternatives, and the County will ask for engagement with community members throughout this process.

To fully build out the park, Missoula County will need to form partnerships with local athletic groups, garden clubs and other organizations to acquire the following resources for the park. Missoula County will do outreach to community organizations with the goal of sharing reuse plans for the park and discussing opportunities for leadership in developing the park infrastructure and programming. The following projects were identified through the master planning effort. Some will be phased in as funding becomes available. Fundraising efforts will continue through construction of the skatepark as the Working Group looks to secure funding for these supporting amenities. Dependent on level of funding secured, these supporting amenities will include establishment of a parking lot off Silver Street; an approximately 800 square foot picnic pavilion; garbage service and portable restroom facilities; and installation of fencing along Silver Street and around the perimeter of the newly established parking area. Others amenities would require partner development.

• Baseball field updates: The Clinton Park currently has a baseball field, and in 2020, the County removed the field’s dilapidated outfield fence, grandstand and other hazardous structures. The irrigation system was tested in the summer of 2022 and can still irrigate one-third of the field. The field is not regularly mowed but is voluntarily cut once or twice a year by a local landowner who benefits from having the hay from the site.
• Shaded shelter with storage
• Restrooms
• Pavilion
• Perimeter trail and pedestrian access from Silver Street
• Stitt Road parking
• Silver Street parking
• Native plant gardens
• Outdoor classroom: This would include a platform demonstration area with a white board and table and boulders for seating.
• Community agriculture space: This would include garden fencing, soil prep, irrigation setup and program materials. It’s anticipated that these startup costs can be recuperated through member fees, fundraisers, etc.
• Signage: This would include designing and installing wayfinding signage, assuming that the required right-of-way is donated.