A Magical Neighbor in the Heart of Missoula
Dragon Hollow is a one-of-a-kind playground in the heart of Missoula, right next to A Carousel for Missoula. Built in 2001 through the combined efforts of local children, artists, and thousands of volunteers, it quickly became a beloved community treasure. In 2019, Dragon Hollow was refurbished and expanded to create an all-abilities play space, where children of every age and ability can play side-by-side.
This is the story of how Dragon Hollow came to be—and how the Missoula community built a playground as magical as the Carousel itself.
The Dream Begins
Even before the Carousel opened in 1995, its board of directors dreamed of adding a play area that would expand the magic for families. To make sure it would be a place children truly loved, they turned to the real experts—Missoula’s kids.
Playground designer Robert Leathers visited local schools in 2000 and listened to children’s ideas. Their wish lists were long and imaginative:
- Secret telephones hidden in the maze
- A three-headed dragon with a stomach you could bounce on
- Towering slides with daring twists and turns
- An obstacle course for climbing, jumping, and exploring
- A special area just for younger children
Organizing the Effort
Turning a fantastical design into reality required a massive community effort. Volunteers organized every detail:
- Gathering materials and tools
- Providing food and childcare for helpers
- Coordinating parking and transportation
- Rallying donations and publicity
Children decorated over a thousand bricks and pavers with mosaics, which became benches and pathways. Others painted Trex boards for colorful accents throughout the playground. Families and businesses sponsored dragon heads, slides, benches, and even the dragon’s “stomach.” Nearly 1,000 engraved pickets were sold for the surrounding fence.
Building the Dragon
In April 2001, the first volunteers gathered to drill more than 150 holes for posts. Piece by piece, the dragon’s body began to rise.
By May, the playground and staging areas were buzzing with activity from dawn until dark. Some volunteers signed up for just one shift, but many couldn’t resist coming back again and again. The excitement of “building a dragon” was contagious.
On May 21, 2001, Dragon Hollow was declared “substantially complete,” and children poured in to play. More than 4,000 volunteers, including nearly 1,000 children, had helped bring the dream to life. and pathways. Others painted Trex boards for colorful accents throughout the playground. Families and businesses sponsored dragon heads, slides, benches, and even the dragon’s “stomach.” Nearly 1,000 engraved pickets were sold for the surrounding fence.
Finishing Touches and Legacy
By spring of 2002, the final details were complete, and Dragon Hollow was fully open. Today, it remains a magical destination where children run, climb, jump, and imagine. Thanks to the dedication of Missoula’s residents, businesses, and young visionaries, Dragon Hollow continues to delight generations—and stands as a true neighbor to the Carousel.
