Friends of Missoula Parks

About FMP

Friends of Missoula Parks is a Missoula-based 501c3, formed in 2002 by residents to promote parks, recreation, conservation lands, and forestry in the community of Missoula and the surrounding area. We provide a variety of ways in which community members can contribute to Missoula Parks and Recreation.

Our Mission

Friends of Missoula Parks, Inc. (FMP) was founded in 2002 to contribute to Missoula’s Park and Recreation amenities. FMP is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our community through the promotion and support of recreational spaces. We champion the development, maintenance, and conservation of parks, trails, and forestry in Missoula, Montana, and the surrounding areas. By raising funds and awareness, we aim to emphasize the profound social, mental, and physical health advantages that stem from these invaluable resources. FMP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. As a non-profit corporation, FMP is eligible to apply for foundation grants. Friends of Missoula Parks will do so by exercising all rights and privileges granted to a non-profit organization recognized by the state of Montana.

Since its inception in 2002, Friends of Missoula Parks (FMP) has been a driving force in elevating the recreational landscape of our community. With a dedicated volunteer board and a strong network of supporters, FMP has spearheaded many impactful projects. These endeavors include the installation of bear-proof garbage canisters in local parks, constructing a crucial bridge over Rattlesnake Creek, and extensive trail enhancements on the iconic Mt. Sentinel.

One of our flagship accomplishments has been creating a bridge and trail connection linking the Rattlesnake Valley to the University of Montana, facilitating easier access for residents and students alike. Additionally, we take pride in our contributions to developing bike parks at Syringa Park and Bellevue Park, providing exciting recreational opportunities for cyclists of all ages, and spearheading tree plantings at parks throughout Missoula.

In addition to our direct initiatives, FMP also serves as a vital fiscal sponsorship organization, supporting various groups in their pursuit of enhancing public spaces. Among our sponsored initiatives are the Friends of Fort Missoula Regional Park, the All-Abilities Playground, Trees for Missoula, the Missoula Pickleball Project, The Clinton Skate Park Project, Friends of Marshall Mountain, and the Southside Lions Park Project.

Through our collaborative efforts, FMP remains committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive recreational environment for all members of the Missoula community.

FMP Board

Kimberly Baker

Board member since 2013; term ends 08/31/2025

Kimberly is the Apparell Purchaser for The Trailhead in Missoula. Kimberly moved to Missoula after receiving her BA from the University of Utah and quickly became committed to contributing to the health and prosperity of the Missoula community. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, and sailing on Flathead Lake with her husband and two wonderful daughters.

Tim Bechtold, JD

Board member since 2002; term ends 12/31/2025

Tim is a private practice attorney active in many community and legal organizations. Tim founded Friends of Missoula Parks in 2002 and was Chair of the Missoula City Parks & Recreation board for 12 years. He has also served on the boards of many organizations, including Brennan's Wave, Team Stampede-Five Valley Velo, Montana Lacrosse, Missoula Lacrosse, Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association, Wild Rockies Field Institute, Montana Cycling Association, Harvard Club of Montana, Sussex School, Society for Conservation GIS, Montana Trial Lawyers Association, and the Montana Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Tim and his spouse, Karen, have two adult children. The family enjoys skiing, hockey, backpacking, mountaineering, boating, fishing, biking, gardening, and other outdoor pursuits.

Travis Dye

Board member since 2014; term ends 07/31/2024

Travis is a third-generation Montanan, born in Billings and raised in Missoula and Helena. He graduated from Hellgate High School in Missoula after attending Seattle University and the University of Montana. Travis graduated from the University of Montana with high honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology (emphasis in Criminology). In 2001, he graduated with high honors from the University of Montana School of Law. Travis is a partner with the firm Missoula Legal Solutions. Travis has a wonderful family and enjoys many activities. Travis is married to the lovely and talented Megan Ashton, a Forensic Scientist at the Montana State Crime Lab who has the job people would rather talk about. Travis and Megan have one son, Ciaran. Along with his family, Travis enjoys biking the roads and trails around Missoula, cross-country and downhill skiing anywhere there’s snow, hiking, camping, gardening, cooking, and soccer. He even plays a little ultimate frisbee - or tries to.

Ian Foster

Board Member since 2014; term ends 8/31/2024

Ian grew up in Boise, ID, and attended the University of Puget Sound studying Biology and San Francisco State University studying K-8 Education. He taught at the elementary and middle school levels, particularly enjoying teaching maths and sciences. Ian returned to school in 2008, studying Society and Conservation at the University of Montana W. A. Franke College of Forestry. He has experience teaching in public and private schools, at residential outdoor education programs, and as an adjunct at the University of Montana. Since having kids, Ian has worked part-time as a guide and trip director with The Cycling House in Montana and Europe. He manages the business side of his wife's pediatric dental practice, 3 Rivers Pediatric Dentistry.

Ian grew up valuing parks and natural spaces, playing and coaching soccer and constantly exploring and recreating all over Idaho. Currently, his favorite hobbies are spending time with his family, cycling, trail running, skiing, peak bagging, and whitewater rafting. Ian has volunteered as chair of Missoula Children and Nature, served as a board member and board president of the Montana Natural History Center, and has fundraised for the Missoula Public Library Foundation. Ian can be found happily enjoying Missoula’s parks and trails daily with his wife, April, his adventurous kids, Nels, Micah, and Greta, and his aging but still playful chocolate lab, Toba.

Julie Kubik

Board member since 2016; term ends 8/31/2025

Julie has been a board member for The Max Wave, a river enhancement project, since 2012.  She is currently Vice President of the Missoula Nordic Club. She has been active with the Humane Society of the United States and volunteers for various local nonprofit organizations. She received her bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Physiology at Boise State University before earning a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene from the University of Louisville.  She practices at Clark Fork Dental and has two wonderful and active children. Julie enjoys mountain biking, running, skiing, and paddle boarding and appreciates the excellent trails and parks that Missoula offers.

Ross Mollenhauer

Board member since 2011; term ends: 8/31/2025

Ross is a civil engineer, a father, an avid recreationist, and a recovering raft guide.  After moving to Missoula from his native state of New Jersey in 2003, Ross began working his dream job as a raft guide on western Montana rivers.  Quickly realizing he had a river addiction problem, Ross refocused his career and became a civil engineer with Morrison-Maierle, Inc., where he worked for ten years before joining the City of Missoula’s Water Department.  Ross has worked on and with water-related projects, including municipal water systems, wastewater treatment plants, fish ladders, recreational whitewater parks, and park design.  Ross previously served on the Missoula Parks and Recreation board, actively engaging in many park-related projects.  When not working or playing with his wife and children, Ross plays hockey, runs the north hills, floats the gorge, scouts for elk, or climbs nearby peaks. 

John O’Connor

Board member since 2009; term ends 12/31/2025

John is the CEO/Practice Administrator for Five Valleys Urology, PLLC. He fell in love with Missoula's Parks & Trails and all the outdoor recreation opportunities afforded by Missoula's Open Spaces after leaving his native Indiana 21 years ago. John led the successful Missoula County Parks & Trails bond campaign in 2014. The $40 Million bond created Fort Missoula Regional Park, the largest City/County park in Montana, improved and replaced playgrounds in 10 existing City parks, and created the Missoula County trails program. John is in his 5th term as a Missoula's Parks & Recreation Board member, currently serving as the Vice Chair, and his 3rd term on Missoula’s Conservation Lands Advisory Committee. John founded the Missoula Ultimate Federation in 2006, serving as President and Treasurer before hanging up his cleats in 2019. John served on the organizing committee for RATPOD, a 135-mile bicycling fundraiser for Camp Mak-A-Dream, for 17 years. He joined Friends of Missoula Parks in 2009. John is the legislative liaison for the Montana Medical Group Management Association, is a Core advisor to Monida Healthcare Network, and is board secretary and Trustee for the Health Professions of Montana Plan & Trust. When not working or volunteering, John, his wife Jen, their four kids, and three dogs can be found recreating throughout the great State of Montana. Just listen for the loud “woo-hoo” to find him.

Susan Ridgeway

Board member since 2013; term ends 8/31/2024

Susan is an attorney whose practice has focused on litigation of business and property matters, same-sex family rights, surrogacy, and reproductive donation. She served as a board member of Missoula City Parks and Recreation from 2010 to 2015. During that time, she worked to pass the bond for Fort Missoula Regional Park, and although not soon enough for her children, she is still celebrating its completion. She has been of service to multiple non-profit or civic organizations, including Blue Mountain Clinic (past board member and president), Missoula Community School (past executive board member), Missoula County Public Schools (Community Conversation participant 2006, Academic Freedom Policy Committee 2009, Grading Policy Committee 2012, and Writing Coach 2011 to 2014), and Missoula Strikers (team manager, assistant coach, or referee 2005-2012). After moving to Missoula at age 15, Susan was drawn to the mountains and waters of Western Montana and, with few dollars to spare, began hiking and backpacking to enjoy their beauty. Her recreational pursuits have expanded to include ice hockey, cycling, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. She is grateful for all that Missoula’s parks & trails offer.

Former Board Members

• Karen Sippy (2013 - 2023)

• Phil Gardner, MD (2002 - 2023) * Founding member

• Helen Rolston-Clemmer (2006 - 2013)

• Rosalie Sheehy Cates (2003 - 2009)

• Lewis Matelich (2004-2009)

• Charlie Vandham (2007 - 2009)

• John Weyhrich, DVM (2005 - 2008)

• Dori Gilels (2003 - 2006)

• Dale Harris (2002 - 2004) *Founding member

• Dan Funsch (2002 - 2003) *Founding member

FMP Board Liaisons

Donna Gaukler

Director, City of Missoula Parks & Recreation

Juniper Davis

Manager, Missoula County Parks, Trails, and Open Lands Program