Downtown Missoula Partnership Leads the Installation of 150 Flower Baskets Downtown
Downtown Missoula Partnership Leads the Installation of 150 Flower Baskets Downtown
Downtown Missoula lives up to its name as the Garden City
The Downtown Missoula Partnership (DMP) will install 150 flower baskets throughout Downtown Missoula on Thursday, May 7, coinciding with the upcoming influx of visitors for UM Commencement on Saturday, May 9, and Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10.
The Downtown Missoula Partnership and Missoula Downtown Association have led and primarily funded this placemaking initiative since 1981. The program also receives strong community support through Missoula Gives, with the 2026 flower baskets partially funded by 38 individual contributors and a match from the Missoula Downtown Foundation.
Pink Grizzly serves as the primary partner for this program, marking its 25th year supplying the baskets, which were seeded in early March. Pink Grizzly will deliver the 150 baskets to the Central Park Garage (128 W. Main) early Thursday morning. The Downtown Missoula Partnership staff will then handle the official installation.
The baskets will remain on display from May 7 through the busy spring and summer season and into October, following UM Homecoming. The Downtown Missoula Events & Facilities staff will maintain these baskets by watering them seven days a week—and even twice daily when temperatures exceed 80 degrees.
“The flower basket program is a truly special tradition that signals to the community that the warm season is here,” said DMP Operations Director Jake Treece, who oversees the program. “While this program is a gift to our downtown, it is much more demanding than it may seem. It’s not common for cities to maintain 150 living baskets in a hot, dry urban environment like Downtown Missoula. It takes a lot of daily effort from our team to keep them healthy and vibrant, so if you see someone out watering, take a moment to thank them for helping keep Downtown Missoula looking its best.”
For more information on the Downtown Flower Basket Program, contact Jake Treece at the Downtown Missoula Partnership at [email protected] or (406) 543-4238.