City to further study fish pond; other parks will also see a boost

The Columbia Falls city council has agreed to go ahead with a study to see if a fish pond can be dug at River’s Edge Park. The first step in the process is to determine the soil type in the park, determine the water table depth and do some preliminary planning.

The site wouldn’t be suitable if the pond won’t hold water. Councilwoman Jenny Lovering said her husband, who is a soil scientist could help with the soil study and Mayor Don Barnhart, who runs an excavation company, said he’d be willing to dig the hole if necessary.

The owners of the Columbia Falls RV Park have already pledged $1,000 toward the project if it comes to fruition. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks would stock the pond and manage the fishery into the future.

The city is also pursuing grants that might help absorb some of the cost of the pond.

In other city parks news:

• Council OK’d some new playground equipment at Horine and Pinewood Parks. Horine will see about $16,000 in new playground equipment and structures, including benches and tables. Pinewood will see about $7,500 in new equipment to replace equipment from the early 1990s that has worn out, including the old slide and swings. The city will also spend about $26,500 to improve the parking and irrigation system at Horine.

• City council will take a first look at an ordinance at its next meeting that would allow for alcohol consumption and sales at River’s Edge Park and Marantette Park by special permit only. The city is hoping to attract events like beer brewfests to the town.