Proposed Lakeside Park a bad thing

Letters to the EditorLike most issues in life, there are two sides to every story.

Such is the case with the current proposal to establish a new Flathead County Park and swimming area in the middle of an established residential area and next to a dangerous intersection for boat and other watercraft traffic on Flathead Lake.

Some people may not be personally affected by the negative impact of such a facility which is to be placed on a woefully inadequate size property for such a project. Only 69 feet wide (about 22 paces' it is much smaller than the average single homesite. In fact, it is a single homesite with a 40' wide, 70' side long home (which is going to be removed).

Many people, however, will be greatly affected by the negative impacts involved in this proposal. There are over 90 residences within one-half block of the proposed park. In fact, there are only three commercial business, the Lakeside Marina and two small motels on the entire three mile length of lake shore from the north end of Lakeside Blvd. to where it re-enters Hwy 93 to the south of Lakeside. These nearby residences, many of which cost from $500,000 to well over a million dollars, will bear the brunt of all of the negative impacts inherent in such a public park. From loss of privacy, noise, congestion, litter, theft, trespass, vandalism, liability, alcohol, drugs and assorted safety issues, traffic, transients and prowlers. Not to mention the potential loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the value of our homes. For many of us, the insurance that we will have the funds to support ourselves in our declining years lies in the value of our homes.

The danger to swimmers, especially to children is obvious. This park and beach is next to the Bayshore Motel docks, the city dock, the city boat ramp, the condo boat docks and is the launch, retrieve and mooring of some 40 additional boats and watercraft from the nearby Wild Wave Rental operation. Boats and Sea-Doos rented by the hour over and over again during the day. The swimming area is also near the cruising lane for boat traffic cruising the shoreline of Flathead Lake.

We ask for the Lakeside Community to look deep within our hearts and honestly ask yourselves whether you would welcome this facility thrust upon you . . . Next to your home?

Noel and Joan Bartlett Lakeside