Kalispell is moving forward with developing the city’s first designated dog park.
The city council on March 20 approved a plan to revamp a large section of Begg Park into a 3.5-acre off-leash dog park. The decision elicited applause from the crowd of supporters in attendance, which included volunteers with Paws to Play, a local nonprofit organization that has advocated for a site and raised funds to help develop one.
“Dogs are a part of our community just like people are part of our community,” Councilor Rod Kuntz said. “I think it is going to bring a lot to our community.”
The council voted 8-0 in favor of utilizing roughly $40,000 from the city’s parks and recreation budget to build fencing, landscaping, irrigation and a storm drainage system at the site. Paws to Play agreed to contribute $10,000 to the city’s efforts to help get the project off the ground. The group is also devoting itself to raising additional funds for benches, waste disposal stations and other amenities at the site while hosting events and spreading information about proper behavior and policies at the park, according to group leaders.
“If Begg Park is designated for a dog park, you’ll have a team of very organized, committed people who will ensure this is a place that is clean, neat and safe,” Lucy Smith, the former executive director of the Flathead Community Foundation, said.
“This will be a place where the community really comes together.”
Chad Fincher, director of the city’s parks and recreation department, said development of the park will likely begin in June or July following storm drainage work at the site.
Located on the south side of Kalispell across the street from the Kalispell Lakers baseball fields, Begg Park has 6.24 acres that include existing amenities such as a gazebo, playground and basketball court, as well as parking. The designated dog park will encompass a 3.5-acre section while the court, gazebo and other amenities will remain intact outside the fenced area.
Councilor Phil Guiffrida defended the repurposing of Begg Park, saying it was “diversifying” a neighborhood park and make it a “regional park” that residents and visitors could all utilize. He said families would still have other nearby outdoor options besides Begg Park, including the playground at the new elementary school being built nearby on Airport Road.
“I think this is a good public-private partnership,” he said.
Councilor Chad Graham said he still has lingering concerns about safety issues at the park, particularly involving aggressive dogs.
“As tame as they are, we’re still talking about animals,” he said. “My concern is mixing kids with this use.”
Graham said he was encouraged by the proposed outreach efforts by the Paws to Play group to spread education about proper etiquette at the park.
Dogs are required to remain on a leash at public parks. The concept of an off-leash site has gained steam in recent years with the popularity of Hugh Rogers Wag Park in Whitefish, which was featured in USA Today two years ago as one of the 10 best dog parks in the country.
In January, Kalispell city staff sent out 779 letters to the surrounding neighborhood informing nearby property owners of the proposed park changes. An open house focused on the plan was held Jan. 25. Since the open house, the city has received 13 letters of support and one letter opposed to the park, according to city officials.