Many parks in Great Falls take advantage of the city's main geographic feature: the Missouri River.

Winding through town in a lazy flow, slowed by the series of dams that brought power and people here, a series of parks offers views, exercise, trees, picnic areas, even tennis and horseshoes.

Another favorite summer spot is Mitchell Pool, just set back from the River.

The main city park on the Missouri is Elks Riverside Park, an expanse along the river boasting play equipment, barbecue grills, picnic pavilions, horseshoe pits, tennis courts and – tucked into a corner – the state's biggest skate park, Riverside Railyard Skate Park.

"I've used the skate park a couple of times recently. It's usually packed but pretty fun," says Jeremiah Almos, a Leadership High School participant.

Connected to Elks by a pedestrian tunnel under railroad trucks is Gibson Park, the centerpiece of the city park system.

"Gibson Park sees lots of use," says Mike Schmit, Division Manager of NorthWestern Energy.

From Gibson, cyclists, runners and walkers can access the River's Edge Trail, a 17-mile off-street path system that girds the Missouri.

Simply ducking through the tunnel brings people from the bustling downtown Gibson Park to Elks Riverside, which is skirted by the River's Edge Trail heading both east and west from that point.

Oddfellows Park – upstream from Elks – offers play equipment, barbecue, a pavilion and basketball court.

"When River's Edge Trail first was being developed, Montana Power Co. was involved with giving some land to the project," Schmit says. NorthWestern Energy was a successor to MPC.

"Since then, PPL has worked with providing land along the river" for recreation, he says of the company that took over ownership of Great Falls' five hydroelectric dams and surrounding land from MPC.

A recent major acquisition enabled access to Back Eagle Memorial Island on the north side of the Missouri River just below Black Eagle Dam.

"NorthWestern also had donated land along the river," Schmitt says, an area between 9th and 15th streets north of the Missouri that enables cyclists, runners and walkers to access river trails on one end and Black Eagle on the other end – separate from vehicle traffic.

"It was a real great addition," Schmit says. "The Lewis & Clark Overlook at Rainbow Dam, for first-time viewers, is breathtaking. They did a nice job with the parking lots and the rest.

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"The first to come in was this hotel," says Ryan Carroll, Manager of the La Quinta Inn.

Catering mostly to business travelers, he says La Quinta "was a great addition to the community. People who come to Montana want to see the river."

With balconies facing Broadwater Bay, "it has a resort feel. You look out and see trees, the river. It's like a park."

River's Edge Trail runs between La Quinta and the water. "You can get outside and walk. We also rent bikes. You can take a bike and jet up the trail along the river."

Carroll likes that guests can be pointed to dining next door at casual MacKenzie River, for pizza, sandwiches, pasta and salads, or to The Breaks Ale House & Grill a couple of blocks away for steak and seafood. He thinks restaurants are always a good addition to the riverfront. Only a couple of lots are left on Broadwater Bay.

On the west bank of the Missouri, construction is expected to begin on a new federal building in 2007.

Besides restaurants, Carroll sees a strip mall as a good possibility for potential development surrounding the new government facility.

City officials also see potential for lodging and professional-office space in that development.