West Riverside Community Park Barn Future
Public Survey
Share your opinion by completing a short survey that will help Missoula County determine the future of the West Riverside Park Barn. The survey will take approximately 1 minute to complete. Only one survey per person. Survey results will be shared in a public hearing meeting. Survey deadline is Oct. 30.
Click here to fill out the survey.
Project Description
Missoula County Parks, Trails and Recreation is seeking public input on the future of the West Riverside Park Rental Barn located at 1305 Haaglund Drive. The barn is currently closed due to structural issues staff discovered in December 2025.
Project Background
West Riverside Park was originally established as a community park in 1977 through the efforts of the Hellgate Lions Club. Following the permanent dissolution of the organization in 2017, Missoula County assumed ownership and management responsibilities for the park.
For many years, the park’s historic red barn has served as a year-round rental facility for community gatherings and events. However, in December 2025, the facility was closed after structural deficiencies were discovered in the floor joist system, rendering the building unsafe for public use.
In coordination with the Missoula County Facilities Department, Parks, Trails and Recreation developed cost estimates to evaluate the repairs necessary to address these structural issues. The estimated cost of the floor system repairs alone is approximately $230,000. In addition, the barn — originally constructed in the 1940s — requires numerous other significant capital improvements, including exterior siding repairs, bathroom renovations and updates to aging mechanical systems. These additional needs further increase the long-term investment required to restore and maintain the facility.
Future Funding Possibilities
While a clear path to securing non-property tax funding for the necessary repairs has not yet been identified, County staff will continue exploring private fundraising opportunities and external grant programs that may help support the project.
Project Timeline
West Riverside Park Community Picnic: Wednesday, July 29, 6-8 p.m.
- Parks, Trails and Recreation staff will be at the picnic to gather input on what should be done with the West Riverside Park Barn.
Bonner Milltown Community Council Meeting: Monday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
- Parks, Trails and Recreation staff will be at the community council meeting to give department updates and to gather input on what should be done with the West Riverside Park Barn.
Public Comment
Let us know what you think about the future of the West Riverside Park Rental Barn by logging in or creating an account and taking the survey and/or submitting comments below. Follow this project on the right-hand side of this page to be emailed when there are updates.
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Phone 406-258-3458
Fix the barn. Its an important historical and cultural part of this community. I have seen countless weddings and family dinners and community events at this barn. Its a gem and our neighborhood is so lucky to have it. Demolition of the building is going to be expensive anyway, and if we cant pay to fix the building then theres little to no chance of ever getting a replacement. This building was cheap to rent, had adequate space, and facilities like a complete commercial kitchen to cook for a bustling community or family event. It was amazing. The history of this barn goes back to the zaugg ranch, and its a huge historical and cultural part of our neighborhood.
I agree that our park is lacking modern facilities like a splash pad and skate park, but those things are not going to come from demolishing our red barn. And the back field and horse shoes are complete neglected by the county. No one uses them because they are unusable. Lets be honest, if we cant even afford to keep grass out of a small 2ft sand pit, then we probably are not going to get a splash pad and pump track and swimming pool and skater rink and all the other stuff people want. Lets start by honoring what we have. Instead of demolishing things and locking up the park in planning and limbo for years, let's fix the barn, build the playground they ripped out, put in the bike trail thats promised, and take care of the fields and courts that are already in existence.
Fix the red barn. If its too expensive, get another bid. But fix it. Dont just neglect our history and culture. You guys took on this park, knowing good and well there were maintenance liabilities. Why in such a short time is the county closing facilities and failing to maintain the park?
Fix the barn. Fix the park.
Lets see, should we spend 250k taking it down or 250k fixing it?
Fix the red barn. It is a massive historical and cultural piece of this neighborhood. I have seen countless weddings and family dinners and community events at this barn. We sorely miss the barn, and I am sad its not available now. The red barn is a massive community resource. Its a place for family, friends, and communities to gather. It was reasonable to rent, had adequate space, and the facilities including the full size commercial kitchen were amazing.
Dont be short sided, this barn is an important part of this neighborhood and its a gem we are lucky to have.
As for the other missing amenities at the park, I agree....we could have a better park. But, a better park doesnt begin by throwing away what makes this park special. Fix the barn. Get another bid if its too expensive. But Fix the barn.
Every chance the county has to spend money is a chance for county officials to get bribes and kickbacks from the contractors.
We need someone with some common sense to go out there and look at the problem and give a realistic bid on stabilizing it and making it "good enough" , not perfect. Maybe just putting $4000 in screwing in some additional floor joists, grafting them to the originals, can make it last for 20 more years.
The library was more expensive than the hilton, and we could have bout 50 1million dollar mansions for the same price on the private sector.
the fair grounds concessions building is the most expensive restaurant ever built in Missoula and only open 9 days a year.
This is government corruption and contractors milking the taxpayers.
I think restoring the red barn will be a huge financial sink purely for the sake of nostalgia. I suggest it be demolished, the heavy good wood repurposed towards a new modern building that can grow with the new park. There are so many children out here that need a safe place to bike and skate. A lot of the park isnt getting use much like the baseball field in the rear and horseshoe area. Shouldn't we be asking the kids what they want?
We would love to see a larger playground planned for this area! It feels like such an important and essential piece of connecting to community to have a park/playground space that is inviting, spacious, and well maintained and provides opportunities for connection and community building. We are also very hopeful that the red barn can be restored and put back into good use as a very vital community gathering space.
I would love to see a functional playground and a splash pad at this park. There are SO many children and families in the nearby neighborhoods who would use and love something like that.