City of Helena’s
Parks & Recreation Winter Guide 2023-2024
CIVIC CENTER
Guide Contents Civic Center Shows and Tickets ..... 3 Open Lands & Tree Planting ........... 5 Sasquatch’s Photo Essay ................. 7 Sasquatch Photos ............................. 9 Animal Tracks on Open Lands ....... 11 Living Tree Decorating Event ....... 13 City Parks & Urban Forestry .......... 15 Tree Concerns ................................... 16 Map of Helena’s City Parks ............ 17 Shelter Rentals ................................. 19 Memorial Park Safety Concerns .. 20 Upper DeFord UA Trail .................... 21 Memorial Park Ice Rink .................. 23 Muni’s Sports Grille ......................... 27 Cross Country Skiing ...................... 29 Letters to Santa ............................... 30 Centennial Trail Tunnel Mural ....... 31 Contact Us ......................................... 33
Director’s Letter Hello Helena, I am extremely fortunate to have been living in and working for the city of Helena for one year as the Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Lands. Since being in Helena I have learned how fortunate we are to live, work and recreate in this amazing place. The citizens of Helena are passionate about the conditions of their parks, playgrounds, trails, fields, flowers and much more. With one year under my belt with the city of Helena, the most satisfying observation is the high quality of staff within the Parks Department. The level of professionalism is impressive and the level of care that staff has for the city and its amenities is high. To have this opportunity to be a part of the community, work to maintain and improve our parks systems, while serving the citizens in Montana’s state capital is a blessing. Here’s to another great year! Doug Smith, City of Helena Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Lands
Coming Soon to your Civic Center Oct. 28 - Big Sky Shows Autumn Arts & Craft Show Nov. 4 - Holiday Gift Show #1 Nov. 11 - Holiday Gift Show #2 Nov. 18 & 19 - Queen City Ballet presents The Nutcracker Nov. 25 & 26 - Cohesion Dance presents Nutcracker on the Rocks Nov. 29 - Dec. 3 - Intermountain’s Festival of Trees Dec. 8 - Mountain Force MMA Dec. 16 & 17 - Premiere Dance Company presents The Nutcracker Dec. 20 - 23 - Grandstreet Theatre A Christmas Carol Jan. 27 - Helena Symphony Concert Jan. 28 - Helena Bridal Fair Feb. 2 & 3 - Sweet Bee - Winter Vintage Market
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Feb. 8 - Brian Regan Feb. 10 - FebFest: Valentine’s Gift Show Feb. 11 - Princess Tea Feb. 20 - Night to Shine: High School Talent Showcase Feb. 24 - Helena Symphony Concert March 2 - Adult Prom March 23 - Helena Symphony Concert March 24 - Mania: The ABBA Tribute To Purchase Tickets: ONLINE: www.helenaciviccenter.com BY PHONE: 406-447-8481 weekdays 10am - 4pm IN PERSON: Civic Center Box Office is open weekdays 10am - 4pm. The Box Office is located at the south end of the venue. To book the Civic Center for your own special event call 406-447-8481 or visit helenaciviccenter.com for rates and more information.
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Helena’s Open Lands The City of Helena currently owns and cares for 2,000 acres of undeveloped parkland, including Mount Helena City Park and Mount Ascension. The City of Helena has a trail crew that maintains trailhead amenities, creates new trails and completes all the upkeep necessary for city trails. You can find more information on Helena’s newest trail, the Upper DeFord Universal Access Trail, further in this guide.
Mount Helena Tree Tree Planting
The summer of 2022 saw a fire event on Mount Helena. The Parks Department worked to restore the fire damage landscape between the 1906 and Ambrose Trails by cutting and piling burnt trees. This should prevent any future hazards and clean up the landscape. 5
On Arbor Day of 2023, Helena Parks and Recreation recreated an event of Helena’s past to replant the burn area and renew its commitment to care for the mountain. On Arbor Day in 1899, Helena students from Central School each carried a fresh tree seedling up Mount Helena during one of the first documented attempts to reforest the mountain. They were accompanied by Fred Kuphal, a member of the Helena Symphony, who aided their efforts by playing the violin. 124 years later, students from Central School hiked Mount Helena once again, accompanied by volunteer violinists. The students spread grass seed and planted trees that are native to the area. The children were accompanied by volunteer violinists from the community. Helena Parks and Recreation’s message for this replanting is that it is not our love of the trails, the trees or even Mount Helena that unites us; it is the history of preserving shared spaces that binds us to Helena citizens of the past and to each other.
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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 2022 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 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 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.
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Photo 3: * Chef’s Kiss *
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 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 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 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 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.)
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Sasquatch Hunt
Helena’s Open Lands
Trail Every Week. He Moves to A New
Photo Contest
Winners Are Announced Weekly
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Tag Us at: If You Find Him @HelenaParksRecreation
Join the Hunt! Join the Fun!
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Identifying Animal Tracks
Rabbit Tracks
Deer Tracks
Coyote Tracks
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Fox Tracks
Helena’s Open Lands
Squirrel Tracks Mountain Lion Tracks
Elk Tracks Black Bear Tracks
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Mount Helena Living Tree Community Decorating
- Saturday, December 9TH - Mount Helena Trailhead - 12pm - 3pm
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Bring your friends, family and decorations up to Mount Helena and we will sip hot drinks, listen to festive music and decorate a designated area of living trees near the trails. Sticking to a designatedarea when decorating helps us eliminate litter. Questions? 406-447-8077 (Please no glass or loose tinsel) 14
City Parks 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 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. 15
Concern:
Refer To:
Phone:
Tree emergency, fallen tree or branch blocking the street or sidewalk.
HPD for immediate response to secure the area. HPD will call HP&R for removal.
911
Witnessing malicious tree damage or removal.
HPD while in progress. HPD will call HP&R.
911
Street tree trimming, planting and removal.
Helena Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry.
406-4478426
Tree donations.
Helena Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry.
406-4478426
Park tree needing maintenance.
Helena Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry.
406-4478413
Tree located on private property protruding into street or sidewalk.
Roadway Code Enforcement.
406-4478443
Sidewalk lifting from tree roots.
Roadway Code Enforcement.
406-4478443
Tree interfering with high voltage lines.
Northwestern Energy.
1-888-4672663
Tree located on private property protruding onto adjacent private property.
Civil matter Not the city’s jurisdiction.
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City of Helena Parks 1
Mountain View Park
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Janet Park
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Nob Hill Park
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Selma Held Park
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Red Letter Park
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Lincoln Park
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Beattie Park
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6th Ward Garden Park
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Robinson Park
10 Lockey Park 11 Skelton Park 12 Cherry Park 13 Nature Park 14 Memorial Park 15 Crystal Springs Park
17 Bill Robert’s Golf Course 18 Batch Park 19 Centennial Park 20 Kay McKenna Park 21 Hill Park 22 Women’s Park 23 Firetower Park 24 Pioneer Park 25 Dale Harris Park 26 Northwest Park 27 Barney Park 28 Waukesha Park 29 Cunningham Park 30 Reber Park 31 Mount Helena Park
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City of Helena - Playgrounds 1
Mountain View Park
4
Selma Held Park
8
6th Ward Garden Park
10 Lockey Park 11 Skelton Park 12 Cherry Park 14 Memorial Park
16 JC Park 18 Batch Park 19 Centennial Park 26 Northwest Park 27 Barney Park 28 Waukesha Park 29 Cunningham Park
City of Helena - Dog Parks 17
1
Mountain View Park
19 Centennial Park
NORTH
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2
3 4 5
7 8
6 12
11
15
16
18
10
14
13 17
9
19
23
22 20 21
24
27
26 28
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29 31 30
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Shelter Rentals
Planning a small celebration? You can reserve a pavilion or picnic shelter. A park reservation permit guarantees the location, date and time of your scheduled event. Park reservation permits are available from April 1 to October 31. Reservation requests for 2024 will open March 1st. Outside of these dates, pavilions and picnic shelters are available on a first come, first served basis. If you’re hosting a special event like a non-profit fundraiser, wedding, family reunion, awareness walk/ run in a park, a Special Event Permit may be required. Contact the Parks and Recreation Office: Phone - 406-447-8463 Email - hkahler@helenamt.gov
Park Pavilions Centennial Park
Barney Park
Mountain View Meadows Rental Fees: Half Day: 8am - 3pm OR 3pm - 11pm Full Day: 8am - 11pm Half Day: $80 Full Day: $150
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Picnic Shelters Lockey Park
Rental Fees: Half Day: 8am - 3pm OR 3pm - 11pm Full Day: 8am - 11pm Half Day: $50 Full Day: $80
Cherry Park
Walking Mall
Performance Spaces Memorial Park Bandshell
Performance Square
Rental Fees: Half Day: 8am - 11pm OR 3pm -11pm Full Day: 8am - 11pm Half Day: $150 / Full Day: $250
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Memorial Park Playground Safety Improvements The City of Helena will begin working on upgrades and improvements to the playground at Memorial Park this fall, to address long-term safety concerns. The city is currently working on the project and should be completed by late spring. Park users may experience partial closures of the playground, as sections of equipment are replaced. The upgrades are being done in response to an assessment that was completed by the original playground manufacturer, Leather and Associates. After evaluating the playground, they determined that many components of the aging wooden structure were degrading and would become a public safety concern in the future. The current structure was installed in 2003 thanks to tremendous efforts by community members. New playground equipment will be installed but efforts will be made to retain as much of the original structure as possible, including the wooden perimeter fence that recognizes the people involved with the original construction.
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The New Upper DeFord Universal Access Trail The Upper DeFord Universal Access Trail is a one-half-mile trail with limited incline, covered in a firm crushed rock surface. The rock surface is designed to meet accessibility standards. It is a down and back trail that begins and ends at the Old Shooting Range Trailhead on Davis Gulch Road. The trail was constructed with the assistance of Helena Ales for Trails, the Fish Wildlife and Parks Recreation Trails Program and by Helena’s Open Lands Department. The trailhead includes a paved parking lot and bathrooms. It is open and ready for the public to use.
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Memorial Ice Rink
Memorial Park Ice Skating Rink
Memorial Park Ice Rink is a cozy place to rent skates, enjoy hot chocolate and glide under twinkle lights. Call them: 406-443-8774 or check Facebook for ice conditions and open times. Located at 5 Memorial Drive in the back of Memorial Park near the baseball field and play equipment.
Parks with Free Ice Rinks: Lincoln:
1800 N Roberts St.
Cunningham:
1234 Floweree St.
These ice rinks are free to use, in public parks and unattended. They do not have staff, concessions or skate rentals. Rinks are open from dawn to dusk. Please avoid the ice while it is freezing.
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Hours Weather Dependent Wednesday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm Thursday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm Friday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm Saturday: 11am - 8pm Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
Dates Weather Dependent - Mid-December - February - Extended hours over Helena School District winter break: 11:00am - 8:00pm daily. - Closed Christmas Day
Entrance Fees Resident Discount Rate: Ages 0-3: FREE
Child & Senior: $2.00
Adult: $2.50
Non-Resident Rate: Ages 0-3: FREE
Child & Senior: $3.00
Adult: $3.50
Skate Rentals are FREE! Concessions We have concession items available for purchase: * Hot Drinks *Hot Food *Soda *Candy Please no outside food. Visit our website at www.HelenaMT.gov/Recreation or our Facebook page for updated information.
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Ice Rink Events
December -Join us Opening Day - 12/22, 11am - 8pm -Free hot chocolate on Christmas Eve, 12pm - 6pm -Extended hours for Christmas Break: 12/22 - 1/01, 11am-8pm
January -Start the New Year with us! 01/01, 11am - 8pm -Neon Night - Free Glowsticks! 1/6, 4pm-8pm -Disney’s Frozen Themed Skate, extended hours 1/22, 11am-8pm
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February -Free Learn to Curl Events -90’s Themed Skate Party 02/02, 4pm-8pm -Valentines Day - Free Hot Chocolate -Open Memorial Day - 2/19, 11am-8pm -Donate to Skate - Closing Weekend
More events to be announced. Follow Memorial Park Ice Rink on Facebook or on Instagram @HelenaParksRecreation for exact dates and times.
Learn to Curl events are free to the public and hosted by Last Chance Curling Club and Helena Parks and Recreation. Spaces in the classes are limited, participants must sign up online at helenamt.gov/recreation. Dates and times will be announced on social media.
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BREAKFAST BREAKFAST BURRITO Your choice of sausage, bacon, or ham, scrambled eggs, hash browns, shredded cheese and our spicy maple sauce rolled up in a tortilla $9.00 Add peppers or onions .75
SUNRISE SANDWICH Your choice of sausage, bacon, or ham, 2 fried eggs and choice of cheese served on an English muffin $9.00
MORNING COMBO 2 eggs served your way with either sausage or bacon, toast or English muffin and a hash brown patty $9.00
BREAKFAST SIDES Toast - $2.00 English Muffin - $2.00 Hash brown Patty - $2.00 Fried Egg - $2.00 Bacon or Sausage - $3.00
muni s s p o r t s
g r i l l e
SALADS & WRAPS BUFFALO CHICKEN Grilled or crispy chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, bacon bits, blue cheese crumbles and chopped lettuce. Salad $15.00 Wrap & fries $16.00
CHEF Ham, turkey, hardboiled egg, avocado, shredded cheese, bacon bits, diced tomato, olives and chopped lettuce. Salad $15.00 Wrap & fries $16.00
CHICKEN CAESAR Grilled or crispy chicken, chopped lettuce, shredded parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing. Salad $15.00 Wrap & fries $16.00
TACO SALAD Beef or chicken, shredded lettuce, diced onion and tomato olives, jalapenos, refried beans and shredded cheese. Served with tortilla chips, salsa and sour cream. $15.00
WEDGE SALADAsk your server about the wonderful seasonal DESSERTS available at Muni’s!
HOT COFFEE! Hot Coffee, Hot Cocoa or Tea - $2.00
Orange or Apple Juice - $2.50 Soda - $2.00 27
Wedge of iceberg lettuce covered in blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles. $12.00
GREEK SALADGrilled gyro meat, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and feta cheese piled on a bed of chopped lettuce. Served with grilled pita bread and a side of tzatziki. $14.00
KID’S MENU Beef Slider - Grilled Cheese Hot dog - Chicken Tenders - PB & J Mini Corn dogs All served with fries and a drink $8.00
APPETIZERS SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP - Served with grilled pita bread $10.00
FRIED DILL PICKLES
muni s s p o r t s
g r i l l e
ENTREES
Served with ranch $8.00
MUNI BURGER
NACHOS
6 oz beef patty on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion & pickle. $12.00 Cheese / mushrooms + $1.00 Bacon / fried egg + $2.00
Chips, warm queso, tomato, onions, jalapeño, salsa & sour cream $12.00 Add chicken or beef $2.00
SLIDER TRIO 3 beef sliders, sautéed onion and choice of cheese $12.00
FRENCH DIP Sirloin steak, sautéed onions and pepper jack cheese served on a hoagie $14.00 Mushrooms / jalapeno + $1.00
PHILLY CHEESESTEAK
MOZZARELLA STICKS
Sirloin steak or grilled chicken, sautéed green peppers and onions finished in a cheese sauce served on a hoagie. $15.00
Served with ranch and marinara $11.00
SHRIMP PO’BOY
JALAPENO POPPERS
Crispy shrimp, lettuce, pickles, tomato with spicy chipotle mayo on a hoagie. $14.00
Served with ranch $11.00
THE SAMPLER Mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, onion rings and jalapeno poppers with ranch and marinara $15.00
CHIPS & SALSA Plain $6.00 Add queso $8.00
SWEET POTATO FRIES Spicy maple sauce $9.00
ONION RINGS With choice of sauce $10.00
MUNI’S WINGS Cheese hot buffalo, sweet chili, mango habanero, zesty orange sauce, BBQ. 12 - $16.00 6 - $9.00
GYRO Pita filled with gyro meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, cucumbers, onion, feta cheese and tzatziki. $14.00
PORK SANDWICH Fried pork chop, sliced onion, pickle and mustard served on a split top bun. $14.00
INDIAN TACOS Fry bread with ground beef, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, olives, jalapeno and shredded cheese. Served with salsa and sour cream. $12.00
FISH & CHIPS Beer battered cod served with fries, lemon wedge and tartar sauce. $16.00
SPICY MAC & BEER CHEESE Creamy beer cheese and macaroni with choice of crispy or grilled buffalo chicken and bacon bits. Served with fries. $15.00
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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. 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 29
Helena’s
Postcards from Santa
Drop off a letter to Santa! All letters marked with a return address and placed in the red mailboxes will get a postcard back from Santa. Mailboxes are accepting letters Nov. 13 - Dec. 20 and are located at: City County Building, Information Desk: 316 N. Park Ave. Memorial Ice Rink: 5 Memorial Drive Not able to get to a mailbox? Request one online at: https://secure.rec1.com/MT/helena-mt/catalog
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Centennial Trail Tunnel Mural
This summer a mural in the tunnel that connects Memorial Park and Centennial Park was completed. The tunnel can be accessed on the Centennial Trail, from either park. The project was proposed from the Helena Public Art Committee and approved by the city commission. The mural was painted by Helena artist Elise Perpignano, who was selected from 13 other submissions. The 3,000 square-foot mural covers both walls of the tunnel. It features scenes from Helena and Montana’s history, wildlife and plants. Centennial Trail is great for pedestrians walking, running and riding bikes. It runs traffic-free from the west side of Montana WILD to National Avenue. 31
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Where to Find Us
C I T Y
C O U N T Y
B U I L D I N G
Parks and Recreation Main Office: 406-447-8463 www.HelenaMT.Gov/Parks Located at the City County Building Room 405. We encourage the use of email and phone correspondence for facility and park pavilion reservations, program registration and general questions and comments about our department.
Where to Follow Us Facebook.com/HelenaParksRecreation
Instagram.com/HelenaParksRecreation 33
Contact Us Division
Title
Administration Parks, Recreation & Open Lands Director
Contact Doug Smith
Phone
dsmith@helenamt.gov
4064478462 4064478463
Administration Administrative Heather Assistant Kahler
hkahler@helenamt.gov
Aquatics and Recreation
Recreation Manager
Kait Perrodin
kperrodin@helenamt.gov
Bill Roberts Golf Course
Golf Course Maintenance
Steven Link
slink@helenamt.gov
Bill Roberts Golf Course
Golf Operations Manager
Tod Fitterer
tfitterer@helenamt.gov
4064478091
Civic Center
General Manager
Byron Dike
bdike@helenamt.gov
Muni’s Sports Grille
Food and Beverage Manager
Kelsey Carter
kcarter@helenamt.gov
4064478382 4064471603
Open Lands
Open Lands Manager
Brad
blangsather@helenamt.gov
Langsather
4064478077
4064478090
4064478454
Parks Operations & Maintenance
Parks
Craig Superintendent 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
Have a general parks question or inquiry? Email us at: CITYPARKS@HELENAMT.GOV
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What’s Happening in Helena