City of Belgrade toughens up Lewis & Clark Park with TrueGrid permeable pavers
Servicing wells can be a messy job. This innovative town figured out how to keep it clean and green.
“After vetting several options, TrueGrid permeable pavers were selected to reinforce access ways to the City of Belgrade’s wells. We expect permeable paving will improve the city’s operations by cutting down on maintenance while keeping community spaces beautiful.”
- Suzanne Mackay, Montana Hardscape Hub
Challenge
Belgrade is Montana’s 6th fastest growing city. While experiencing a 28% increase in recent years to approximately 13,000 residents, preserving its agricultural roots and small-town charm is part of the town’s vision. The City of Belgrade is tasked with upgrading infrastructure, including the local water supply, within the guidelines of the Belgrade Master Plan.
In 2024 the city broke ground on its Groundwater Capacity Project, drilling 2 new wells to serve the water needs of its residents. The catch? Both wells are located in the middle of public parks. Utility vehicles would need to cross a significant green area in order to maintain the wells year-round, creating ruts, mud, and ruining the aesthetics of these beautiful community spaces.
Solution
The seed was planted at a 2023 event hosted by Montana Hardscape Hub, where TrueGrid permeable pavers were officially made available locally across Montana. Always on the lookout for environmentally responsible, effective, and affordable infrastructure solutions, the city recognized how these permeable pavers could protect drive-able areas while saving time and cost on maintenance.
TrueGrid was vetted by DOWL Engineers and specified in the city’s plans for a grass access alley to each of the wells. Noted was the solution’s stability and HS20 rating, which can handle the weight of anything that can drive on the road - light trucks to emergency vehicles to semi trucks.
Lewis & Clark Park, the first of the well projects, was completed late-Summer 2025. Contractor Easton Companies excavated the area, used a non-woven fabric for added tensile strength, compacted 6” road base gravel, snapped together the TrueGrid PRO PLUS, and filled it with topsoil. Hydraseed was applied to green up the area to match the surrounding park.
Result
Park-goers are oblivious to the reinforced permeable paving under their feet while enjoying Lewis & Clark park - throwing a frisbee for their furry friend, kicking the soccer ball around with their kids, or just laying on the grass to soak up the sun.
Next on the list: Belgrade’s Sunnyside Park wells project with reinforced access by TrueGrid permeable pavers. Expected completion: Spring 2026.
TrueGrid is the world’s strongest permeable paver. Used in grass and gravel paving, it’s strong enough to park a crane on, stand up to Montana’s tough climate and snow plowing, and still last for decades.
Lewis & Clark Park got an upgrade!
TrueGrid pallets were brought to the site
The drive-able access area was excavated.
Base gravel mix was brought in and compacted
TrueGrid was cut on-site with a circular saw to accommodate utility boxes/access
TrueGrid cells were filled with top soil
Ready for Hydraseed!
Hydraseed was applied to the TrueGrid access area, as well as surrounding ground
Week 1: Hydraseed starts to grow
Week 3: Hydraseed growing (facing South)
Week 3: Hydraseed growing (facing South)
6 weeks post-hydraseed, the access area handles vehicle weight easily.
As expected, tires affect only the surface area - the TrueGrid permeable paving structure reinforces the ground overall and protects the new grass root system.