Support for Big Corral Park

byBig Corral Park Supporters: Paula English Carney, Brian Wrede, Clay Moore, Jeff Jones

To the Citizens of the Bitterroot Valley, the Ravalli County Commissioners, and the Ravalli County Park Board:

The Bitterroot Valley is defined not only by where we live, but by how we live. 

We hike, we walk, we ride, we watch our kids play, and we gather outdoors because open space is not a luxury here, it is part of our way of life. That is why continued support for Big Corral Park matters.

Big Corral Park is one of the few places in and around Hamilton that serves everyone: families with young children, seniors looking for safe walking paths, youth sports teams, casual recreation, and community events. It is accessible, well-used, and already woven into daily life for hundreds of residents. This is not a speculative project or a vanity expense. It is an investment in something people are already using and asking for more of.

As Ravalli County grows, the pressure on public space grows with it. Parks are where growth becomes manageable rather than overwhelming. They reduce congestion elsewhere, improve public health, support youth development, and enhance quality of life without requiring expensive long-term services. 

Well-maintained parks are also one of the few public investments that consistently return value, socially, economically, and emotionally to the entire community.

For county commissioners and park board members, supporting Big Corral Park is a chance to demonstrate practical, community-focused leadership. This is about listening to residents who want safe, nearby places to recreate; about planning responsibly for growth; and about maintaining amenities that make the Bitterroot a place people want to stay, raise families, and retire.

For fellow citizens, now is the time to speak up. Parks do not expand or improve on their own. They exist because communities decide they matter. When we invest in shared spaces, we invest in each other.

Big Corral Park is not just land. It is opportunity for connection, health, and a stronger community. Let’s come together and choose to support it.