North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan
The North Riverside Parks and Trail project includes Caras, East Caras, and Bess Reed Parks. These Downtown facilities are referred to locally as Missoula’s “Central Park.” The parks host farmers’ markets, concerts, and events. The Clark Fork River and the system of parks and trails along its banks are an integral part of Missoula’s identity. People celebrate the river year-round as a place to play, learn, travel, fish, surf, meet up, and contemplate.
The North Riverside Parks and Trails Plan, adopted in 2020, will help make tomorrow’s riverfront even more vibrant, accessible, sustainable, and green. The Plan offers detailed design ideas and strategies to enhance the connection, circulation, and programming. The plan was created using a series of public workshops and an interactive online platform. Thousands of people contributed their ideas.
The multi-disciplinary design team was led by Dover, Kohl & Partners. The design effort occurred in two phases: concept design and schematic design. Plan implementation is underway.
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612981733216-XVB31ETY1FOXWSJI5S62/Clip--1.gif)
![Caras Park: Existing Conditions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612887051372-UPKOMSPOIW7YN980N9VZ/existing.jpg)
![Caras Park: Long Term Plan](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612887067801-L83O06MGWLLRBF8W71PH/Missoula+Park+overall+aerial+long+term.jpg)
![River Trail: Existing Conditions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612887404398-IC7BIMQJLN7XVRXL5N4W/ex+missoula+trail.jpg)
![River Trail: Proposed Design](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612887441831-UE87EARI20IE2AEO4HWP/missoula%2Btrail_031320.jpg)
![Ice Ribbon in Caras Park in summer](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612887754957-NIG35WZB8A5DAR5MLEBC/summer+2.jpg)
![Ice Ribbon in Caras Park in winter](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612984126192-9I7JLC8YNYS01AL54TD3/snow+2.jpg)
![Riverfront: Enhanced with Additional Access](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888032232-UTMNTAAUSPOT1PK03HXT/River+access+rendering+steps+with+ramp.jpg)
![Bess Reed Park: Rain Garden with Boardwalk](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888287663-8STXEFXYG4F0V0WDFS2X/Rain+Garden.jpg)
![Caras Park Plaza: Existing Conditions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888404006-6Q096EH2VM2NMBOJUSJZ/materials+existing.jpg)
![Caras Park Plaza: Proposed Design](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888415415-IG8VHO1UEW4SB222FHY4/materials+re.jpg)
![Bandshell Area: Existing Conditions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888423156-BG86G1ZSS419KS6DWIGI/bandshell+existing.jpg)
![Bandshell Area: Proposed Design](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888445599-RSXB8036FPYC1MQ2NWZB/bandshell+2.jpg)
![Caras Park Ryman Street: Proposed Entrance](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888531124-F8X54EK85BIVHV3JZ35D/Gateway+2.jpg)
![Bess Reed Park Entrance: Proposed Entry Treatment](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888554586-LACZJIFROL7DO367ZA9R/Bess+Reed+Entry_no+powerlines.jpg)
![Electrical Substation Area: Existing Conditions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888563583-6MYRVNBDVEBAV4OGC02M/East+caras+park+mural+before.jpg)
![Electrical Substation Area: Proposed Buffer](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888568222-2LZUD6G1SXMHT71MTUM9/East+caras+park+mural+after.jpg)
![Caras Drive: Proposed Enhancements](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888967125-INVEXVWHW31PJYQ8FGKV/woonerf+no+event.jpg)
![Caras Drive: Special Events](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5612e13ae4b0c37386e86b7e/1612888981484-L75GBND41ALVMPUS5ZUR/woonerf.jpg)