Kalispell offered $1 deal to expand city park

The Knife River construction company has made an offer to sell a 16-acre plot of land adjacent to Lawrence Park for $1 to the city of Kalispell.

According to a letter from City Manager Doug Russell, city staff plans to use most of the land to expand the 118-acre city park. He said city staff envisions a network of nature trails through the forested area and making necessary improvements to the land over time as funds become available.

Russell notes that a portion of the property is subject to wet conditions, making parts of it unusable as park land.

Knife River has requested a tentative closing date on the property of no later than June 1. The company has proposed splitting the closing costs with the city up to an amount of $500. The property is to be sold “as is.”

Kalispell City Council will discuss the proposal at their meeting on Monday.

Lawrence Park off North Main borders the Stillwater River. Amenities include a walking path, play equipment, a climbing boulder, picnic areas, a disc golf course and natural open areas.