Goal 10 Provide leisure and recreational opportunities which add to our quality of life.

The City Commission embraces its responsibility to help provide ways for citizens to renew themselves through a variety of leisure and recreational opportunities. Commissioners and departments continuously explore new programs and offerings that will contribute to the quality of life for all who live, work and play in our community.

An excellent example of a public/private partnership that has added a substantial recreational offering to our community is the development of the River's Edge Trail along the Missouri River. This project began as a result of the Burlington Northern Railroad and the City working together to alleviate maintenance and property issues. BN offered the City the right-of-way if the City assisted with rebuilding an area of track. This project has resulted in the creation of one of the best urban trails in the Northwest, enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors to our City each year.

The trail project also provides a leading example of how government can and should operate to reach a successful potential through the establishment of partnerships. This successful project has proven symbolic for the City as it has changed the attitudes of many individuals about community involvement and become a source of great community pride. Reflecting on the project, the city government most likely could not have justified the expenditure and built a $5 million trail with its own resources. The city, state, and federal governments have supported the project with approximately $2.7 million in funding, with the remaining funds raised by community volunteers through donations and benefits, such as the popular annual Blues and Brews event. A volunteer trails group took over the leadership role in the expansion and development of the trail early in its life.

Great Falls also offers a vast park system designed by our founder, Paris Gibson, that requires full commitment toward maintenance by City staff in order to preserve its beauty. Thousands of children and families enjoy the parks and activities in our City each year. Popular and far-reaching improvements have been made to our two municipal golf courses and the Mitchell Pool swim center during recent years, and a new Community Recreation Center has been developed at the former Demolay building. In addition to waterslides and children's play equipment at its flagship municipal pool, the "Flowrider" water attraction adds another exciting option for water activity.

Recognizing that they may never be able to provide all the opportunities and resources they would like, our City officials and staff continue to explore and identify new leisure and recreational opportunities to offer the community.

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