Council Approves $445K Northside Playground Contract
Missoula's City Council voted 9-1 to award a playground contract for a new 5.4-acre Northside park.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in City Hall
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The Missoula City Council approved a $445,446 contract for a playground in a new 5.4-acre Northside park, with Ward 6 Councilor Kristen Jordan casting the sole dissenting vote. The contract was awarded to Dakota Playground after seven companies submitted proposals.
Why it matters
The decision commits city funds to a specific park design at a time when residents are debating how fully the playground should accommodate people with disabilities. The dispute centers on which accessibility features were included and whether they meet community expectations in Missoula.
The council voted 9-1 to approve the $445,446 contract, which covers swings, musical instruments, a play structure, a zipline and ADA-compliant pour-in-place surfacing. Parks and Recreation Director Marina Yoshioka said some recommended features would cost significantly more and were not included in any proposal.
The players
Kristen Jordan
Ward 6 Councilor on the Missoula City Council who cast the sole vote against the playground contract, arguing for more ADA features and disability community input.
Marina Yoshioka
Director of the City of Missoula Parks and Recreation Department who explained that some recommended accessibility features would cost significantly more.
The details
The playground, featuring swings, musical instruments, a play structure and a zipline, will be built in the new Northside park. Jordan argued the design should have included more accessibility features and more feedback from the disability community, while public commenter Kristen Newman called for universal accessibility.
Timeline
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: Council approved the playground contract.
Monday, Nov. 16, 2026: Next City Council meeting.
Summer 2027: Playground construction is scheduled.
Political Context
The playground's pour-in-place surfacing is ADA compliant, meeting federal baseline standards, but Jordan argued the design should go further. The debate reflects a broader question about whether minimum accessibility compliance is sufficient for public parks serving residents with mobility restrictions, including those living nearby at the 200-unit Villagio Apartments.
Residents of Northside and nearby neighborhoods will see the new playground built in summer 2027, with its accessibility features shaped by this contract. Families with mobility-restricted members should review the design features listed in the contract when planning use of the park.
The takeaway
Public accessibility decisions often hinge on which features fall outside minimum compliance and what cost tradeoffs officials are willing to accept. Residents who want input on future city projects can attend the public comment period at council meetings.
What happens next
The City Council will next meet on Monday, Nov. 16, and the Northside playground is scheduled for construction in summer 2027.
Further reading
Follow more local decisions in Missoula City Hall coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Missoulian.
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