Western Montana

When spring arrives in Missoula there’s only one thing on everyone’s minds, and that’s getting outside. There are so many great places in town to take a stroll with friends and family or to cozy up under a big leafy tree for a quite nap in the shade. But for easy accessibility, numerous recreational options, and a great view, Kiwanis Park often lingers at the top of our list. Ideally located right between the University of Montana and the quaint blocks of Downtown Missoula, Kiwanis Park is easily reached by car (signs will lead you to parking just south of E. Front Street) or by foot/bike. The trail that borders the park is paved and wheelchair/stroller accessible and sits along the edge of the Clark Fork River offering a spectacular view.

Now that the sun is out, my fiancé and I decided to take a break from the workday and share a cozy picnic at the park. We went downtown to a well known, and very historic, mercantile called Worden’s Market where you can purchase made-to-order sandwiches and lunch specialties, a few aisles worth of gourmet groceries, and even a bottle of wine and a cigar amongst other things. We opted for sodas and sandwiches to-go and drove down to the park. Though there is a large field of nice green grass where you’ll often see people enjoying a game of soccer of Frisbee, I recommend bringing a blanket to sit on. Dogs often frequent the area and you never know who might have used your seat—for something other than sitting—earlier on. And though the grassy area seems to be cleaned and kept up regularly, there is also a covered pavilion equipped with picnic tables, a water fountain, and bathrooms, perfect for a family or group picnic.

We brought our dog with us, so as we ate our lunch and laid out under the sun we took turns throwing the tennis ball for him, and when he got too hot he just crossed over the path and took a quick dip in the river. The park also has a three court tennis area, a baseball diamond, a full basketball court, and a sandpit volleyball area. Plan wisely though because when the University semester ends, and the days get longer, large groups of college students—with reggae music and kegs—often come out in the evening and take over the sports facilities. Though it’s worth still hanging around, because with the snowcapped mountain view, the sunsets can be more than impressive. Kids tend to enjoy the area as well because off the spacious running room and small playground with swings and a slide.

Two things to remember:

Don’t forget to bring a leash for your dog. Even though the park is very dog-friendly, and there are often one or two dogs running around to catch a Frisbee, the pups tend to get very excited when they run into an old (or new) friend. Also, young children will often enjoy walking up to you and asking if they can pet your dog.

Take precaution late into night (past dark). It has been known for a few homeless visitors to hang around many of the parks in the middle of the night, but during the day the park is a very safe and family friendly environment.