Dog park construction slated for spring 2009
The Whitefish City Coun-cil approved a construction agreement on Monday for a new dog park facility in Armory Park.
“Today, dog parks are as common as skate parks, tennis courts and ball fields in municipal park systems,” city parks director Karl Cozad told the council. “This is true in communities from urban to suburban and rural.”
Cozad said nearly 40 percent of American households have at least one dog, and a quarter of those households have a second dog. He also noted that substantial public support exists for the project, which was been in the works for about three years, citing a petition with more than 1,000 signatures.
The agreement with the Whitefish Animal Group (WAG) calls for two construction phases. In the first phase, the 4.9-acre facility will be fenced in with two maintenance entrances and three “bullpen” entrances for people with dogs.
The fence will enclose an existing stormwater retention pond. Part of the fence currently surrounding the pond will be removed so dogs can take a swim.
The design also calls for seven dog waste stations, three trash cans, one bear-proof waste container, two park benches and a five foot wide, 300 foot long, hard-surface ADA-acceptable path. The northern end of the dog park can be plowed and used for vehicle parking during skijoring and other events.
WAG chairman Steve Lull said construction could begin this spring, but the dog park won’t open until the ADA trail is completed.
The dog park was approved by the city Park Board and is included in the city’s Armory Park master plan, which also includes refurbished softball fields, additional parking, trails, a picnic area with pavilions, restrooms and completion of Veterans Way on the south end of the park.
In addition to performing regular maintenance at the dog park, WAG is responsible for raising funds for construction. The city will take responsibility for relocating a soccer field.
WAG has so far raised more than $40,000, including multi-year commitments from Third Street Market and the Whitefish Community Foundation. In addition, Montana Coffee Traders has agreed to pay for all the dog park’s “poop bags” for years to come.
Phase 1 is expected to cost about $31,643, which includes $16,860 for fencing and “bullpen” entrance gates, and $3,000 for the paved pathway.
Other budgeted items include three garbage cans at $400 apiece, one bear-proof waste container at $850, two park benches at $950 apiece and one “3-way drinking fountain” at $3,215.
Future expenditures as funds become available include one entrance bulletin board at $1,000, four more $950 park benches, $30,000 to provide beach access to the pond, $10,000 for a gazebo and $2,500 for a donor acknowledgment board.