MISSOULA – The Five Valleys Land Trust and the City of Missoula — in partnership with REI and MTB Missoula — hosted the grand opening of the new Barmeyer Trail and South Hills Spur open space over the weekend.
The project is the first new trail on Mount Dean Stone and it has been in the works for about four years. The three-mile loop rests on land donated to the City by the Barmeyer family in 2016 to honor their parents.
Missoula Conservation Lands Manager Morgan Valliant says the trail is only the beginning of what they hope to create in the open space.
"You know, they had 140 acres and gave 90 to the city. And then it was a solid two years to nap the trails. Build the trails. Get our inventories of our flora and fauna. So yea, it’s been a long time coming. It’s nice to have this day," said Valliant.
REI presented the groups with a check for $15,000 to fund future projects during the opening ceremonies. For now, the trail is pedestrian only but that may change in the future when they finish creating more trails.
