Will dogs have their day in Whitefish?
Armory Park master plan features dog park
A 4.9-acre dog park is one of the amenities featured in an Armory Park master plan to be considered tonight by the Whitefish City Council.
Dog-park proponents have campaigned heavily for the off-leash facility for more than a year as the city developed its master plan for the eastside property. The park already contains softball fields and a skate park.
In preparation for the public hearing, the nonprofit Whitefish Animal Group, called WAG, submitted its mission statement and goals, along with three-dozen e-mails in favor of a dog park. The group also provided a list of recommended guidelines.
The dog park would border East Second Street on its north side, with the southeast perimeter brushing up against one of the softball fields.
To make room for the dog park, the Parks and Recreation Department proposes relocating a soccer field to the northeast corner of the softball complex, with the understanding the city wouldn't pay for its relocation.
The City Airport Board is willing to let the city use a portion of adjacent airport property for a portion of the soccer field.
When initial public hearings were held a year ago, citizens had questions about city liability and policing and maintenance of the proposed dog park. Others said they believed city park land should be developed for people, not pets.
But proponents say that as Whitefish continues to grow, there are fewer and fewer places to exercise dogs off-leash.
The proposed master plan maps out many future projects for Armory Park, including an additional 116-space parking lot along the southern border, 49 parking spaces along the northeast border, construction of public restrooms and a concession area, improved drainage and the installation of irrigation and bleachers for all four softball fields. Eventually, one of the fields would having lighting.
A network of bike trails is planned throughout the park. Other plans are an elevated picnic shelter area, outdoor performance stage and the future construction of a north-south connector street to be named Veterans Way.
IN OTHER business, the council will hold two additional public hearings, one about setbacks in the lakeshore protection zone and the other to consider relocating an existing home for use as a guest house at 1856 Lacy Lane.
The council will vote on a new weed-control ordinance and will award a contract for a new parks maintenance facility.
Hammerquist Casalegno had the low bid of $610,219, but the parks staff wants to add a floor-heating system that would cost an extra $19,815.
Tonight's meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at Whitefish City Hall.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com