Missoula County Commissioners approved funding on Feb. 8 for improvements to the Seeley Lake Lions Park, or the Clearwater Park.
Missoula County will provide $4,103 — the amount requested by the Lions Club encompassing the cost of materials — which will be matched by the Lions Club using money, volunteer efforts and donations. The match does not have to be a complete cash match. The total project cost is $8,223.
“The Seeley Lake community has consistently supported the Lions Club’s efforts to maintain the park by generously contributing to various fundraisers,” according to the grant application. “Local businesses have partnered with the club and assist in selling or promoting fundraisers for the park and other club-sponsored ventures that benefit the community.”
According to the project description on the grant application form, three benches in the park were removed for safety reasons and couldn’t be restored. The application requested funding to bring back the three benches — one to be placed in a spot accessible to those with limited mobility — and to install a weather-proof bulletin board to announce events at the park and other Lions Club programs, like an ice skating party, a spring picnic or information on how to volunteer with the Lions Club.
“A lot of people … they don’t know how to get in touch with us, so that board will really serve a lot of purposes,” Richard Westin, Seeley Lake Lions Club park committee chairman, said.
The Lions Club manages the town’s only public park. While the park is owned by Missoula County, the club maintains the park as a space for the community to “relax and recreate.”
Jackson Lee, project specialist with the Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands Program, said funding from this program is available every year. One million dollars have been provided over 40 years to support projects like the Lions Club’s, along with things like constructing playgrounds, ice skating rinks and improving local trails. Lee said most of that money goes to rural communities.
Lee described the Seeley Lake Lions Club as one of the program’s strongest partners.
“The Lions Club is creating a legacy of a more vibrant and connected park where community is celebrated,” Lee said.
Last year, improvements to the park’s playground were covered by another matching grant cycle. Both the club and Missoula County had a wishlist that extended past the playground, which included the bench upgrades and bulletin board.
“It is a county park, so their efforts aren’t just for us,” Westin said. “As long as we take care of the park and put our half into it, they (the county) don't need to send anybody up to take care of it.”
Benches and the bulletin board are expected to be installed this spring, likely the end of March, Westin said.
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