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Parks staff outline maintenance backlog, trail funding limits and park-improvement plans
Summary
Parks staff reported aging playground structures, trail maintenance shortfalls, drainage issues at the dog park, and a proposed master-plan-driven capital program; staff also described limited funds for resurfacing and a proposed chipper-truck purchase.
Parks and facilities staff told the Kalispell City Council that playground equipment, trails and park infrastructure are aging and that funding available in the coming fiscal year is limited for full rehabilitation.
Staff said many playground structures are near the 25-year expected life and that several pieces are failing; images and close-up photos were discussed during the meeting. One staff member described a structure as reaching the end of its life and said replacement costs can be high. The parks master plan will guide prioritization and capital requests for replacement, staff said.
Trail maintenance and resurfacing drew repeated concern from councilors. Staff said the current proposed budget contains modest trail-maintenance funding (one line referenced approximately $2,000 for a specific trail segment), and councilors urged a larger, ongoing funding source to maintain miles of city trails. "This doesn't cut as far as ceiling overhang or anything like that. It would be miss the method," a council member said, urging more funding for existing trail upkeep rather than new builds.
Staff also described drainage problems at the dog park that limit usability in some seasons and said park partners and volunteers sometimes help with improvements. For one park, staff said fundraising and small donations are being used for incremental improvements, but that larger replacements would require formal estimates and capital budgeting.
Capital equipment needs included a proposed chipper/truck replacement. Staff showed a vehicle from 2006 with structural rust and mechanical issues and said a replacement with a new box would cost in the roughly six-figure range; staff cited an estimate of about $104,000 to replace the chipper truck chassis and box. Staff said the purchase would reduce wear on older equipment and improve operational capacity.
No council votes were taken on park capital or equipment purchases; staff said the master-plan process will produce a prioritized list for the coming budget year.
