MISSOULA — In the heart of downtown Missoula, Caras Park stands as a hub for community events.
One of the park's key pieces needs to be upgraded, and a campaign has been launched to do just that.
The Downtown Missoula Partnership is launching a fundraising initiative with the goal of raising $500,000 in private sector donations to upgrade the canopy and pavilion at Caras Park.
Recent evaluations have identified safety concerns regarding the existing canopy, the current canopy has extended its life span of 15 years.
The steel framework of the pavilion requires new paint to address weathering and corrosion.
Missoula Downtown Foundation Director of Giving Carrie Harper says the importance of the campaign is to address the safety concerns.
“There's six peaks on the canopy and then some of some breakdown in the construction where the cables are in the canopy,” Harper said, “We just don't want some catastrophic event to happen and then it really is broken and so it's just clearly time for it to be replaced.”
Construction is set to begin this fall and should wrap up by the spring of 2026.
The campaign also seeks to raise enough money to install additional features to the Beartracks Underbridge Playspace.
The Missoula Downtown Foundation has already raised over $270,000 for the project, with the help of public-private partnerships and grant funding.
The organization notes these improvements are an investment in Missoula's future.
Click here for more details, including how to donate.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that fundraising for the campaign is coming from private sector donations.
