Spring flooding closes dog park

Annual spring flooding has closed Kalispell’s Begg Park, and according to volunteers with Paws to Play, it may take up to two months for the dog park to open again for the pups to play.

Paws to Play volunteer Diane Bokor said flooding came with the property, and volunteers expect an annual closure of about four weeks each spring when the park was built.

However, this year’s record snow levels combined with the still-frozen soil have created a pond covering much of the 3.5-acre park, now better suited for the waterfowl that have taken up temporary residence.

Once the flooding recedes, Bokor said Paws to Play and the city Parks and Recreation Department will begin performing maintenance and installing new amenities to the park, including a bike rack, a two-tiered water fountain for both dogs and their humans, a message board and an Americans with Disabilities Act-approved footbridge over a ditch between the parking lot and the park.

The flooding has not stopped volunteers from continuing to pursue new additions to the park, and Bokor said Paws to Play will host a fundraiser at both MacKenzie River Pizza locations in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 27.

Diners who present vouchers to their servers any time during the day will ensure that 20 percent of the cost of their meal will go toward Paws to Play’s goal of implementing a paved trail around the perimeter of the park to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

Tuesday evening, participants will have the opportunity take part in an all dogs edition of trivia and win raffle baskets donated by local businesses and individuals at the north MacKenzie River location.

For more information or to print a “Pizza 4 Puppies” voucher, visit https://www.pawstoplay.org/.