Lakeside park plan reaches final stage

The Lakeside Shoreline Park on Flathead Lake is just one step away from reality.

The Flathead County Park Board on Monday voted to recommend approval of a memorandum of understanding between the county and property owners Bruce Ennis and Margaret Davis that will enable the county to accept the donation of 1.5 acres of developed park land.

On Thursday at 10:45 a.m. the county commissioners will vote on the Park Board’s recommendation.

Two years ago, Ennis and Davis purchased an acre of lakeshore property near the Bayshore Motel from the Mattson family and then presented a park proposal to the Lakeside community.

Last year they bought the Bayshore Motel, a crucial property that provides a link between a county-owned swim dock and boat ramp at the end of Adams Street and the proposed park.

The purchase of the motel allowed the couple to adjust the plans to incorporate an expanded lakeshore and additional parking.

The motel building was moved in sections from the site a few months ago.

The deal will give public access to about 190 feet of uninterrupted lake frontage.