City sniffs out funding options for dog park

Residents hounding for a dog park in Kalispell are closer than ever to getting their wish. 

At Monday’s City Council work session, Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department Director Chad Fincher and City Manager Doug Russell presented Begg Park as the top choice for an officially designated dog park in city limits. The presentation follows a multi-year campaign by the nonprofit Paws to Play to raise funds and find a location for a Kalispell dog park. Additionally, when the city released its South Kalispell Urban Renewal Plan last spring, residents surveyed showed extensive support for a dog park in the area, more than other amenities mentioned in the survey.

“How exciting it was when Chad and Doug called and said they might have a breakthrough,” Diane Bokor of Paws to Play said during public comment. “We have always seen ourselves at Paws to Play as this grassroots group of dog lovers, doing whatever we can to give a gift to the city. We’re your partner and we’ll help however we can.”

Paws to Play ramped up in 2015 with fundraising efforts through events and outreach. While the funding quickly built up to cover the cost of amenities, finding a space in city limits became the tallest hurdle. The group approached the city late last year and Monday, the city appeared ready to deliver.

“I really think a city with a dog park is a better city,” Ward 4 Councilman Phil Guiffrida said. “This is one of those things we’re seeing popping up all over the place.”

One point of discussion was funding the new park. Since Begg Park is located inside the South Kalispell tax-increment district, the redevelopment project could be funded with tax-increment money. But because that TIF money might be needed later on to complete the city airport plan, which has not yet been fully set, council may still look to draw from the general fund.

Which funding option the city chooses determines the project timeline, Fincher said.

“If we used TIF funds, we’d look for early spring to start constructing fence,” Fincher said. “If it has to wait until next fiscal year [after the 2017-18 budget is set], that would be sometime at the end of July or early August. Either one is a workable solution for us and we’re excited that the council is supporting it.”

The initial development phase would re-purpose 3.5 acres of the 6.24-acre South Kalispell park into a dog park with fencing, a drainage system, concrete slabs at the bullpen entrances, irrigation work and landscaping. The first phase is estimated to cost about $50,000.

Through its own fundraising efforts, Paws to Play will fund the park amenities, like benches and doggie bag dispensers. After the first phase, the city would look to the nonprofit to raise funds for additional features.

Fencing is far and away the most expensive component of the first phase, estimated at $35,135. Drainage, water features, two bridges and landscaping planned in the first phase totals about $10,000. Concrete slabs for the entrances are estimated at $2,800 and irrigation work would cost about $2,000.

Although he expressed support for the dog park, Guiffrida reminded the council that TIF funding available for the project may be needed later, depending on what will become of the city airport. If the city decides to buy out property owners near the airport in order to close the facility, they might need that $50,000.

“I do have so much concern over this particular TIF district right now,” he said. “But if that TIF is sunsetting soon … I just want to make sure we get the funding right so we’re not hurting down the road.”

“I don’t have problems taking money out of the TIF for this,” Ward 4 council member Tim Kluesner rebutted. “We’ve spent $2 million on the airport … We spent $2 million of TIF money to better Kidsports uptown. Fifty-thousand for this is a drop in the bucket compared to what we’ve already spent on the district.”

While the funding discussion is ongoing, Fincher said his office will continue to work with Paws to Play to develop a park design before hosting a public forum.

He’ll also reach out to other cities in Montana to compare maintenance plans, and see what policies exist for vicious dogs, of if they are much of an issue.

Overall, Fincher said a new dog park would fit well in South Kalispell, which is expected to grow with a new elementary school and apartment complex already in the works.

“It will enhance the area,” Fincher said. “I do believe it will be a draw, and as it’s built out it will be a new feature of South Kalispell.”

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.