Page 9 - Black Bay Vision Plan

SITE HISTORY

THREE HISTORIC EVENTS - The geological history of Black
Bay Park are what make this site unique. The various rock
and topographic formations are a direct result of significant
geologic process. Understanding this story is critical to
understanding the ethos of Black Bay Park.

TECTONIC UPLIFT
The area historically experienced much tectonic uplift. The
extreme pressure and high thermal temperatures created by
the uplift resulted in dense layers of metamorphic granite
and gneiss rock formations, creating an impenetrable
surface to expansive areas of the Park.

ICE AGE FLOODS
During the historic Missoula Ice Age a series of thousands
of floods washed away the soft top soil layer, exposing the
hard rock (granite & gneiss) below. The resulting landscape
has shallow soil depths, and very little growing medium
creating a growing environment more suited to a variety of
moss and lichen species, with shallow rooted Pines being
the primary tree species.

SURFICIAL GEOLOGY
These series of historic geologic moments are what make
Black Bay so unique. This natural composition of the park
helped inform the design in each of the plan alternatives.

BLACK BAY PARK