You can help create a park!
Honor the past with a view for tomorrow. Click here to to learn about EVENTS at the park.
A longtime Bitterroot ranching family is making a gift of a lifetime to the Bitterroot Valley through their vision of a public park close to downtown Victor.
With ranching roots that date back to the 1800s, the Groff Family is gifting a portion of their family ranch for future generations of Bitterrooters to enjoy nature, connect with agriculture, and view wildlife.
With your support, the Bitter Root Land Trust can acquire a stunning nature park this summer that is truly special. Groff Family Park will bring an unobstructed, 360-degree birds eye view of the Bitterroot Valley open to the public, allowing the next generations of Bitterroot children to grow up surrounded by thriving wildlife and their valley’s agricultural heritage on display. The view from the future park showcases what makes the Bitterroot “home.”
Views of the soon-to-be conserved Groff Farm from the hilltop of the future Groff Family Park
Together, we can build on our community’s successes with Skalkaho Bend Park, Steve Powell Park, and the C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site & Trail, and provide the Bitterroot Valley with 21 acres of recreational open space within walking distance of downtown Victor.
A future nature park will provide the space that children and families need to play, dream and connect with agriculture and wildlife – just like Bryan Dufresne, fourth generation Montanan and BRLT Next Gen committee member, writes about.
Your Park’s Opportunity
* 0.7-mile loop trail for walking, bird watching, and connecting with nature
* Accessible trail for families of all abilities
* Sled hill in the winter
* Protected wildlife habitat
* 15-minute walk from downtown Victor
* 15-minute drive from Hamilton and Stevensville
Your Park’s Need
BRLT has already secured over $750,000 to purchase and manage the Groff Family Park.
A final $94,000 is needed by June 2025 to make this park a reality.
Will you help BRLT bring the park’s purchase across the finish line and ensure future generations of Bitterroot children will be able to grow up with access to protected open space?
“The beautiful Bitterroot Valley with its snow capped mountains on the west, the rolling foothills on the east, the level valley land between, the Bitter Root River flowing down through, and the many side streams flowing into the river made a beautiful scene and the pioneers’ paradise. I have spent most of my life in the Rocky Mountain country and the greater part of my life in the Bitter Root Valley with its sunny days and cool nights in summer and the clear frosty days in winter. As I have often thought, it is the most beautiful valley in the whole world.”
– Albert Groff, 1948, Bitterroot Trails IV, courtesy of the Victor Museum
Groff family photos, courtesy of Ann Groff
