Missoula river access project reshapes Clark Fork trails

Missoula, Mont. — New access points along the Clark Fork River in Missoula have given river trails a new look thanks to a project more than a decade in the making.

Missoula Parks and Recreation said the work focused on building durable river access while protecting the riverbank and restoring habitat. The city added stairs designed to hold up over time, along with fencing and native plantings.

Morgan Valliant, associate director of ecosystem services for Missoula Parks and Recreation, said the approach addressed several problems at once.

“We realized that providing hard and sustainable access points took care of that bank erosion and kept that soil out of the river. Providing fencing and then native plantings to rebuild those habitats that had been impaired was the best course of action,” said Valliant.

Around Missoula, residents were happy with the work.

“Only in Missoula do you see wildflowers planted. I love the access that they've done. And I love the restoration that they've done so that people can access the river from up here. I think it's great,” said Paulette Macintyre, a Missoula resident.

Valliant said officials in Great Falls, Whitefish and Bozeman had reached out to learn how Missoula carried out the project, which he said could serve as an example for other communities in the state.

He also said the work supports the health of the Clark Fork River and the habitat around it.

“The Clark Fork River is the largest wildlife migratory corridor through our city,” Valliant said. “Having intact vegetation on either side of the river to provide cover, food sources and pollination resources for terrestrial animals while also shading the river and cooling the river for aquatic animals is really important.”

Valliant also wanted to remind people heading down to the river to stay on the path and off the new plants so they can become established and thrive for years into the furure.