Thompson Falls sees improvements for summer months
THOMPSON FALLS - This summer Thompson Falls has some new and safer open space on Main Street. The old and unsafe sheds, back stop, and bleachers have been taken down at Ainsworth Field. The City Council has referred the future of the field to the Thompson Falls Parks Planning Committee. They are in the planning stages for the Field and at this point several possible uses are being discussed, but for this summer the field is being enjoyed as a spacious play and camping area. In addition to its usual daily uses for sports and a wide open play area for people and their pets, we have a circus coming to town on June 22 and a large bicycle touring group, Ride Idaho, coming in and camping there the 6th of August.
Thompson Falls is excited about this coming summer and have made numerous improvements to our public use areas. The swimming pool baths and changing rooms have been fully remodeled, with thanks to the Frisbie Morbella Foundation and we have new play equipment coming for the play area beside the pool, as well as a covered observation area beside the wading pool, also with the generous support of the Foundation and a grant from Avista.
Saturdays downtown will become even more lively with relocation of our popular Saturday Market to the Rose Garden Park on the east end of Main Street. The Market will happen beside the happy David Thompson Play Area. This child centered attraction has a handsome new fence separating the area from the railroad tracks thanks to the generosity of Montana Rail Link. Just a few blocks further east, the water lovers among us will find Wild Goose Landing a great place to launch your watercrafts and take a refreshing dip in the reservoir, or a picnic in its park.
The final link of the community’s trail loop has been completed on the west edge of town. This trail has been made possible by the tireless efforts of volunteers and funded by our corporate neighbors, Avista, PPL, Plum Creek and an RTP grant. John Lawrence of the Rimrock and US Antimony Corporation gave a generous easement over his property to make the trail a reality. Hikers and bikers will find this an enjoyable outing. You can start from the Power Park on the walkway along the southern edge of the park traveling west along the bank of the beautiful Clark Fork and past the historic Power House of one of Montana’s first dams. The trail will continue along the river through a lovely wooded area and climb up to the safe off-highway trail by the Rimrock Complex and back into town. This, paired with our Island Park and Historic High Bridge bike and walking route, gives us two of the most scenic trails in the state, in a state known for its beautiful scenery.
In Thompson Falls, we place a priority on the quality of life for our residents and the welcome that our visitors receive. We know how important our public lands are to our community and to our businesses.