Committee weighs options for Bonner Park West; schedules workshop to review transfer, lease and access concerns

Bonner County’s Parks & Waterways Advisory Committee took up an item the commissioners are considering: whether to transfer Bonner Park West to the City of Priest River, lease the property to the city, or retain county ownership. Parks staff said the parcel, acquired in 1983 using Land and Water Conservation Fund money, provides public water access and that changing custody would require legal review and possible federal or state approvals because of the original grant funding.

Director Matt Zoller outlined three options: transfer the park to the city, execute a long-term lease (for example a 99-year lease) and use lease revenue as match for other park projects, or keep the park as a county facility to ensure continued public-access protections. Zoller noted he was unsure how the city would manage the site and that the county must consider future waterfront access and standards of maintenance.

Committee members raised concerns about revenue and access. One member who has discussed the matter with the mayor of Priest River said the city might impose a launch fee and emphasized the town’s need for revenue. Public-safety staff member Eric urged the committee to consider that Bonner Park West is one of the few county-owned waterfront facilities and warned that transferring ownership could constrain county staging for emergency response and reduce county control over public access.

The committee agreed a workshop should be scheduled to gather more information, invite Priest River representatives who have pitched waterfront redevelopment ideas, and invite the commissioner liaison; no vote was taken at the July meeting.

Ending: Staff will coordinate a workshop to present legal agreements, the history of the land’s funding, and proposals from Priest River so the committee can form a recommendation to the commissioners.