Staff members and friends of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency and the late Hal Fraser will dedicate a new riverfront walk honoring the traits that embody the citizen who works to benefit his community on Friday, July 10, at 10 a.m. News reporters and the public are welcome.
Hal’s Walk is installed along the portion of the Ron MacDonald Riverfront Trail System that borders the Clark Fork River in Silver Park, near the civic stadium, from the boat ramp to the bridge crossing the irrigation ditch. It is marked by banners made of steel alloy on 11 trail-lighting poles that spell out the traits: perseverance, courage, imagination, selflessness and others.
Hal Fraser
Hal Fraser was a Montana native who came to Missoula in the 1960s as a University of Montana student and met and married his wife, Sharee. He worked as a banker in Missoula, and he and Sharee served their community in countless ways. Hal volunteered at the University of Montana as an alumni mentor, Grizzly sports booster and director of the end of the Homecoming Parade, and he was especially known for his work with Playball Missoula, the Missoula Children’s Theater and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA), where he served on the board for more than 20 years.
Hal’s Walk also commemorates the Sunday riverfront walks Hal took with his friend Gerald Mueller, discussing community, public interaction and the unique Missoula culture along the way.
Speakers at the dedication will be MRA assistant director Chris Behan, MRA board chairman Karl Englund, Mayor John Engen, Gerald Mueller and Sharee Fraser.