Changing alcohol rule crucial to future of Bigfork park

Recent articles in some newspapers have suggested that the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork and other community leaders are requesting the county commissioners to repeal the open container law as it applies to all of Bigfork. I’d like to set the record straight and clarify what we are trying to do and the reasons why.

Our efforts only apply to loosening, in a thoughtful way, the alcohol restrictions now placed on Sliter Park. A county resolution passed in 1990 prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the park for any reason. The resolution also prevents alcohol consumption in any public area in Bigfork, a restriction we support.  

The current resolution, as it applies to the park, limits the ability of our community to use it for special events and/or fundraising opportunities. Sliter Park is a beautiful location and has facilities that are almost perfect for weddings, festivals, and special fundraising events for our various community organizations and causes.  

But let’s be realistic. Having beer and/or wine available at such events adds greatly to their success and turnout. That element of success is not available to the community now. Other county parks can have special events with wine and beer, so why not Sliter Park?

Why are we asking the commissioners to consider this change now?  The Parks Department has stated its intent to terminate its lease in June of this year with PacifiCorp for the land that is Sliter Park. As it stands now, if the lease is terminated, Sliter Park may be as well. Because of the park’s heavy use, staff has stated that they cannot afford to keep it open unless more money is generated, about $7,500 more per year. This additional money can come from higher park usage fees, direct donations and in-kind services.  

The Community Foundation is committed to keeping Sliter Park. The park is one of the gems of the County’s park system and an integral and very important part of our community. We shouldn’t let its success lead to its demise.  

How do we find the money? Well, the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork is working closely with the Parks Department and the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce to come up with a long-term solution. For the short term, CFBB is paying an independent contractor to augment county maintenance efforts at the park on a daily basis. And, we have committed to making a direct donation to help close the gap, albeit money we will have to raise. As a result the park lease will remain in force through next year.

However, being able to generate higher park usage fees is a very important part of the equation in supporting the park’s existence in the long run.  Hence our request for the relaxation of beer and wine restrictions in Sliter Park. More special-use events will increase money for the park system, and bring more visitors to the Bigfork region, which in turn will support our local economy.  

It can be a win/win situation for everyone if it is done in a thoughtful and careful way and has the support of the community. But the devil is in the details and any solution will take time to develop. Bigfork is a very special community located in a beautiful and unique setting. Our goal is to keep and enhance what we are blessed with — not to diminish it.

Paul Mutascio is president of the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork.