Supporters, neighbors spar over Milwaukee Trail land purchase

City staff and community members aired competing views on a recent Missoula land acquisition intended to preserve a section of the Milwaukee rail grade and link existing open-space corridors.

Zach Covington of Parks and Recreation described the parcel as roughly 28 acres and about a 1.5-mile section of the old Milwaukee Railroad grade currently owned by the Missoula County Airport Authority. "Some of the basics about the project are that this is 28 acres of about a 1.5 linear mile section of the old historic Milwaukee Railroad grade," Covington said, outlining the corridor's connections to the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers and to the Mullen growth area.

Covington told the program the airport required a price on the land due to its regulations; the broadcast referenced a combined figure of about $130,000 (a roughly $100,000 land price plus an additional $30,000 for the trail) tied to the acquisition.

Homeowners west of Dayshaw, represented in public comment by the Grizzly Den HOA's president, argued the corridor purchase was not a prudent use of taxpayer dollars. "The homeowners west of Dayshaw don't think that this Milwaukee Road Veil is a good use of taxpayer money," said Mister Hargis, summarizing neighbors' objections and concerns about multiple proposed trail routings.

By contrast, James Crosby of the Bike/Ped board urged preservation and active development: "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today," Crosby said, calling the acquisition an opportunity to begin trail connections now.

The acquisition was described on the broadcast as consistent with 2019 urban-area open-space goals and as part of open-space bond investments earmarked for public access and wildlife protections. Host Scott Raf also said the Bonner community recently secured 242 acres with open-space bond funds and described how bond money has been used to protect corridors and river access.

Next steps: staff and planning partners will continue public engagement and future design work; timeline for trail construction was described as long-range, and the broadcast noted trail use is not expected within five to 10 years.