Current Projects

Bluebird Preserve – New trails on Republic Service Conservation Easement opened August 2025

Republic Services, Five Valleys Land Trust, and the City of Missoula have announced the opening of a new trail system that will soon expand recreation options in Missoula’s North Hills.

A public ribbon cutting for the new trails on the Republic Services-Five Valleys Land Trust Conservation Easement property will be held at the City’s Bluebird Preserve Trailhead, 5650 Grant Creek Rd, at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 21.

The Republic Services-Five Valleys Land Trust Conservation Easement property, located in the heart of the North Hills above Interstate 90, will offer community members an additional 2.5 miles of scenic grassland trails. This adds to the existing 2-mile trail system on the City’s Bluebird Preserve.

“Good things are worth the wait. This community outcome has been 15 years in the making, which stands as a testament to strong partnerships, the support of the Missoula community, and the important landscape of the North Hills,” said Whitney Schwab, Executive Director of Five Valleys Land Trust.

The conservation easement project, completed in 2010, protects 300 acres of land north of the Missoula Landfill, which is home to an abundance of wildlife, agricultural soils and picturesque views. In 2019, Five Valleys Land Trust worked with private landowners to conserve the 124-acre Bluebird Preserve, directly to the west of the landfill, and transfer ownership of the parcel to the City of Missoula. The City built more than two miles of trails on the Bluebird Preserve, connecting it to the landfill’s conservation easement.  

"This project is a great example of how public funding delivers real benefits for residents,” says Jeff Gicklhorn, Parks and Recreation Conservation Lands Superintendent. “The voter-approved 2006 Open Space Bond helped purchase the Conservation Easement, and the 2018 Conservation and Stewardship Mill Levy funded the staff and expertise to design, build, and maintain high-quality trails. When voters support these measures, we can deliver better recreation opportunities for all Missoulians.”

Republic Services, Five Valleys Land Trust, and the City of Missoula spent the last two years refining the trails and developing a management plan. Now complete, the property’s conservation easement will continue to be co-managed by Five Valleys Land Trust and Republic Services. The City of Missoula will manage the public trails system.

“Through this strong partnership, we are providing a new, nature-filled experience that will be enjoyed by the community for years to come, while also conserving this important land,” said Republic Services General Manager Catherine Bernhardt. “This project exemplifies how our shared commitment to sustainability can help protect the environment and the communities we serve.”

The new trails encircle the Missoula Landfill property, meandering through grassland hills and draws while offering outstanding views of the Missoula Valley. The property provides essential wildlife habitat, so trail users are required to stay on designated trails, and to support elk and other wildlife, these trails will close seasonally. 

While the new trails will expand public access from the Bluebird Preserve, they will not connect to the Moon-Randolph Homestead or the Waterworks Hill trails to the east. Project background information is available on Engage Missoula at www.engagemissoula.com/bluebird-management-plan. 

About Republic Services, Inc:

Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste, container rental and field services. Republic's industry-leading commitments to advance circularity, reduce emissions and decarbonize operations are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world.  

About the City of Missoula:

The City of Missoula is an inclusive city where all people can live and celebrate meaningful, purposeful and fulfilling lives through the confluence of unparalleled recreational, cultural, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Missoula Parks and Recreation embodies that mission and manages over 550 acres of developed parks and approximately 5,000 acres of open space Conservation Lands that are open and accessible to all Missoulians.

About Five Valleys Land Trust: 

Founded in 1972, Five Valleys Land Trust’s mission is to protect for future generations western Montana’s natural legacy—our water, wildlife habitats, agricultural lands, and community open spaces. Five Valleys’ work has resulted in the permanent protection of over 100,000 acres across western Montana. To learn more, visit fvlt.org.

Visit the Engage Missoula page for this project at:  www.engagemissoula.com/clark-fork-river-restoration-access-project.

Currents Center for Recreation and Creativity (link to Engage Missoula web page)

For decades, Missoulians have identified the need for expanded indoor recreation space to provide more opportunities to lead a healthy lifestyle and come together as a community. The Currents Center for Recreation and Creativity would expand on Currents Aquatics Center in McCormick Park to create a one-stop destination for health and wellness, cultural and community events and instruction, and youth and adult sports. Centrally located downtown and along the Riverfront Trail System, the community center will be accessible, inclusive and inviting. The Converge Foundation is a new non-profit organization that supports programs and spaces in a year-round, welcoming facility for all residents to enjoy.

Duncan Drive Trailhead Construction Project

Description:  Construct Duncan Drive Trailhead Parking Area

NOTICE:  Due to parking lot construction, there will be No Parking in the Duncan Dr. cul-de-sac.  Towing will be enforced. Trail users are encouraged to travel to trailhead by foot or bike and/or use alternate trailheads, such as the Lincolnwood Trailhead and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area main trailhead.

In fall through spring 2026, CLM staff will also be constructing a 1-mile, gently graded trail loop originating at the new trailhead and connecting to the former Rattlesnake Dam site. 

Project Plans

Benefits:  Improved access to existing and new trails as well as to Rattlesnake Creek.

Dates:  Parking lot construction begins the week of September 22, 2025, and is expected to be completed mid-October.

Project Partners:  Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (awarded the project a $100K grant with a required 20% funding match) for construction of the Duncan Trailhead and a one-mile loop trail connecting to the former Rattlesnake Dam site. Northwestern Energy granted an easement.in 2019 to allow for construction of the trailhead on NWE property between Duncan Dr. and the power substation. 

Costs & Funding Source:  

• Cost of professional services provided by DJ&A (construction documents): $35-40k 
• Cost of contract with Williams Civil Construction LLC: $119,250.60 
• $100k Recreational Trails Program Grant, approved Open Space GO Bonds per the Trails and Trailhead Undertaking, and remaining Missoula Water funds associated with the Rattlesnake Dam Phase I project. 
• Materials for Conservation Lands Management staff work are being paid for out of CLM’s annual materials budget

Additional Information:  This construction project is part of the larger Rattlesnake Dam Phase 2 project that focuses on improving recreation access and interpretation in the area surrounding the former Rattlesnake dam site. The Rattlesnake Dam Ph2 project began in 2017, and the scope includes developing new trails, a new trailhead with a paved parking area, and 3 interpretative kiosks. Project partners (City, Trout Unlimited, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks) raised funds to remove the dam, restore habitat, install onsite interpretive education, and build recreational trails. An improved trailhead at the end of Duncan Drive is a critical component of the project to address inadequate parking capacity, improve safety in the City right-of-way, and provide a more welcoming launch point for the system of existing and proposed trails. 

To further reduce the overall contractor scope required to build the project, Ecosystem Services staff are completing multiple project components, including tree removal, seeding, planting, bear resistant trash can installation, bike rack installation, fence construction, and trail construction.

Staff Contact:  Lucy Rummler, Project Manager, RummlerL@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6667