County seals deal on $3 million waterfront park

Calling it an act of extraordinary generosity, the Flathead County commissioners on Thursday approved an agreement that will give the county a new waterfront park in Lakeside worth $3 million.

Property owner Bruce Ennis and the commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding stipulating that the limited liability corporation of Ennis and his wife, Margaret Davis, will develop a day-use public park and then transfer ownership to the county.

The 1.5-acre tract is located on the former Mattson family property at the end of Adams Street and includes the area where the Bayshore Motel was located.

Development plans for the park include vandal-resistant restrooms, a large pavilion for up to 60 people, two smaller pavilions, picnic tables, a paved parking lot for up to 37 vehicles, sidewalks, two docks, a swim platform and landscaping that includes buffer vegetation on three sides.

Perhaps the biggest prize for the county is the 190 feet of unobstructed Flathead Lake shoreline. The project incorporates the county’s existing boat ramp on the south end of the property.

“My belief is that this is the best place you’ll ever find on Flathead Lake to put a park like this,” Ennis told the commissioners, noting that the topography of the land is flat enough to allow compliance with the American Disabilities Act in terms of access.

Ennis listed a dozen reasons why the county will benefit from the parkland, including the fact that it’s located at one of the safest spots in Lakeside, with a flashing light on U.S. 93. Overflow parking at nearby Lakeside Elementary School is another plus.

Ennis grew up in Kalispell and spent a lot of time on Flathead Lake. When he returned to the area five years ago, he and Davis were struck by the limited options for accessing the lake. And they had the financial means to do something about it.

Eight buildings already have been removed from the park site. Three buildings were demolished, three were relocated to the Youth With A Mission campus in Lakeside; one was moved to the Lakeside Chapel and another was moved to Whitefish. A small building used as a Blacktail Mountain Ski Area ticket sales office will be removed at the end of the ski season, Ennis said.

All three commissioners praised the generous gift.

“This will be a tremendous asset to the community,” Commissioner Dale Lauman said.

Lauman said he was pleased that the couple made every effort to involve the community as they conducted what Ennis called “due diligence” on the park proposal.

Commissioner Jim Dupont called the park “a marvelous thing” and said the design is well-suited to that area.

“There’s no negatives here,” Dupont said.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman assured Ennis and Davis that the county will be committed to taking good care of the property.

The agreement entrusts ongoing maintenance to the county. If Lakeside were to incorporate as a city, however, the park and management thereof could be transferred to the new city with the same stipulation of ongoing maintenance.

The agreement also gives the couple the right to choose a name for the park and any amenities within it.

 Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com