Helena Parks and Recreation Fall & Winter Guide 2022 - 2023

Director’s Letter

Hello Helena,

I am excited to begin living in and working for the city of Helena as the new Parks, Recreation and Open Lands Director. I learned by visiting Helena that it is a special city with great outdoor activity opportunities and has a positive community feel. The opportunity and challenges that lie ahead are incredible, and I am eager to begin diving in.

The trek was made to Helena from Greenbelt, Maryland where I was the Facility Director for the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). During my time with the M-NCPPC since 2018, I directed the opening of a $27 million dollar new-build ice arena. Prior to working for M-NCPPC I oversaw the Parks and Recreation Department of Marquette, MI.

I graduated from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. I was also a member of Ferris State’s Division I hockey team.

For over ten years I have traveled to Montana to ski various mountains and resorts. I have been enamored by the state for many, many years. To have the opportunity to be a part of the community, work for the city, maintain and improve our parks systems, all while serving the citizens in the capital of the state of Montana is a dream come true. I look forward to serving you and this wonderful community.

Doug Smith, City of Helena Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Lands

Helena’s Open Lands

This summer saw a fire event on Mount Helena. The Parks Department is working to restore the fire damaged landscape between the 1906 & Ambrose Trails by cutting and piling burnt trees. This should prevent any potential future hazards and clean up the landscape. Thank you for the rapid responses by City Fire, Volunteer Fire, State Fire and Forest Service Fire. Helena’s open lands hold precious scenic, cultural and recreational values. Open lands are a spectacular backdrop for our town and provide citizens with access to a variety of recreational opportunities. The City of Helena currently owns and manages over 1,950 and Trails

Hacres of undeveloped parkland, including the popular Mount Helena City Park and several other trail locations.

Check out Helena’s newest trail, located on Mount Helena. The Ambrose Trail is approximately one-half mile in length, is 7ft wide and gains approximately 160 feet of elevation over its length. The trail has carve-outs with benches along the route. The Ambrose Trail ends in a beautiful vista. The trail is perfect for walking sideby-side with a friend, families with strollers or anyone looking for a less intense walk on open lands. Enjoy cross country skiing or fat tire bike riding here during the winter months!

Sasquatch Essays

Let me introduce myself. I’m Sasquatch and I’m always out roaming the trails around Helena. Helena’s open lands have miles and miles of trails easily accessible from town! And there is a lady in the Parks Department who lets me borrow her iPhone for my photos. I’ll be sharing my hot takes on local trails weekly on social media. Here’s a walk I did in autumn of 2021 to give you a taste. If you’d like to see this year’s photo essays, follow Helena Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo 2: Do you enjoy the changing colors of fall? Of course you do, you’re a red-blooded Helenan after all. I spent the week just off Prairie Trail overlooking Helena, watching the leaves turn yellow. The bench here is the perfect place to take in the autumnal sights and enjoy an autumnal treat. Maybe a hot beverage, or a pumpkin spiced bunt cake – Of course if you’re like me, you’d prefer just an entire raw pumpkin. Check out the next photo to see how the view has changed in one week.

Photo 1: MAP - Starting at the Mount Helena Trail Head, we make our way up the 1906 trail and then veer off to the right skirting along the edge of the mountain.

Photo 3: * Chef’s Kiss *

Photo 6: Backside views - This trail gives a fresh perspective to a mountain I’m mostly on the other side of. Just because you seldom see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. I would know.

Photo 4: Tree Trimming - I got to see some tree trimming that was taking place. Dead branches that no longer serve the trees were being removed. It’s a good reminder that trees need care and management, just like our city’s other assets like streets and buildings. This is also what the forest floor looks like after I get a trim.

Photo 8: Helena’s Best View - The Parks Department looks absolutely stunning from here. Thanks for exploring with me. I hope to see you out there – Let the search begin!

Photo 5: Shrouded in darkness, AKA - in my element. The trail begins to wind up Mount Helena through this dense thicket of trees. And honestly, I’m here for it. I love winding through the many trunks, hidden from sight, mysterious, just a shadow out of the corner of your eye…

Photo 7: My Wildflower Rating Adorability Factor: Are you kidding me? These look like tiny daisies – 10/10 easy. Wildflower or flowering weed?: It is safe to assume these are wildflowers…right? - 8/10 Flavor: Sour…dry… it’s quite good. – 9/10 (Disclaimer: If you are a human, you should not eat flowers. I’m a literal Sasquatch and omnivore so it’s totally cool if I do.)

Identifying

On Helena’s Open Lands

Helena has 30 parks that include playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, community events, bike and pedestrian trails, dog parks, skate parks and bike jumps. All of our parks and trails are beautifully maintained by Parks Maintenance staff and our Urban Forestry Division. These features are designed and developed so that people of all ages, abilities and incomes can participate in the excellent recreational activities this wonderful city has to offer.

Helena’s Urban Forestry Division City Parks

Helena’s Urban Forest Division is responsible for the care of over 10,000 trees located in the city’s street rights of way, public parks and other city-owned properties. During tree cleanup after a storm, please stay away from damaged trees. There is an elevated risk for tree failure, especially during strong winds. Please refer to the grid on the next page to determine the proper steps to take when dealing with an urban forestry concern. You can also visit the Parks and Recreation tab of the city’s website for more information.

Concern:

Tree emergency, fallen tree or branch blocking the street or sidewalk.

Witnessing malicious tree damage or removal. Street tree trimming, planting and removal.

Tree donations.

HPD for immediate response to secure the area. HPD will call HP&R for removal. 911

HPD while in progress. HPD will call HP&R. 911

Park tree needing maintenance.

Tree located on private property protruding into street or sidewalk.

Sidewalk lifting from tree roots.

Tree interfering with high voltage lines.

Tree located on private property protruding onto adjacent private property.

Helena Parks and RecreationUrban Forestry. 406-4478426 406-4478426 406-4478413

Helena Parks and RecreationUrban Forestry. Helena Parks and RecreationUrban Forestry.

Roadway Code Enforcement. Northwestern Energy. Civil matterNot the city’s jurisdiction. 406-4478443 1-888-4672663 Roadway Code Enforcement. 406-4478443

City of Helena Parks

City of Helena - Playgrounds

City of Helena - Dog Parks View Park View Park Park Park Park Garden Park Park Park Park Springs Park Park Robert’s Golf Course Park Park McKenna Park Park Park Park Park Harris Park Northwest Park Barney Park Park Cunningham Park Park Helena Park

How to Buy Tickets

ONLINE: You may buy tickets online any time or day through our online Box Office. Tickets that are purchased more than four days before an event will be mailed to patrons. Tickets that are purchased within five days of the event will be held at will call. We encourage all patrons with will call tickets to pick their tickets up prior to the event to avoid long lines.

BY PHONE: You may purchase tickets by phone during regular business hours by calling 406-447-8481. Tickets that are purchased more than four days before an event will be mailed to patrons. Tickets that are purchased within five days of the event will be held at will call. We encourage all patrons with will call tickets to pick their tickets up prior to the event to avoid long lines.

IN PERSON: If you wish to buy tickets in person, you can come to the Civic Center Box Office during the hours of 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The Box Office is located in the vestibule inside the main entrance, located on the south side of the building.

Cross Country Skiing

Bill Roberts Golf Course

The Last Chance Nordic Ski Club, in partnership with the Helena’s Parks and Recreation Department, grooms approximately four kilometers of skate and classic track on the perimeter of the golf course. The route of the groomed tracks are well maintained and loop together across the rolling terrain. Skiing is free, and all skiers are welcome! Parking for the golf course is located at 2201 North Benton Avenue.

After your ski, stop in at Muni’s to relax, enjoy a beverage and a bite to eat.

If you are snowshoeing, walking your dog or on foot, please avoid the groomed ski tracks as well as the golf course’s tees and greens. For guidelines and a track map visit: www.LCNSC.org

Division

Title Contact Email Phone

Administration Parks, Recreation & Open Lands Director Doug Smith dsmith@helenamt.gov 4064478462

Administration Administrative Assistant Heather Kahler hkahler@helenamt.gov 4064478463

Aquatics and Recreation Aquatics and Recreation Program Manager Kait Perrodin kperrodin@helenamt.gov 4064478077

Bill Roberts Golf Course Golf Course Maintenance Steven Link slink@helenamt.gov 4064471572

Bill Roberts Golf Course Golf Operations Manager Tod Fitterer tfitterer@helenamt.gov 4064478091

Civic Center General Manager Byron Dike bdike@helenamt.gov 4064478382

Open Lands Open Lands Manager Brad Langsather blangsather@helenamt.gov 4064478382

Parks Operations & Maintenance Parks Superintendent Craig Marr cmarr@helenamt.gov 4064478485

Parks Operations & Maintenance Parks Supervisor Pat Marron pmarron@helenamt.gov 4064478413

Urban Forestry ISA Certified Arborist Chris Daily cdaly@helenamt.gov 4064478426

Muni’s Sports Grille Food and Beverage Manager Kelsey Carter kcarter@helenamt.gov 4064471603 CITYPARKS@HELENAMT.GOV