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Commission approves Washoe Park dog park over 4-1 parking, traffic objection
Summary
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted 4-1 on June 2 to approve a proposed dog park in Washoe Park after members debated parking, traffic and trail impacts; Commissioner Ed Beaudette was the sole dissent, urging more study of alternatives.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission approved a proposal to establish a dog park in Washoe Park on June 2, voting 4-1 after a contentious discussion about traffic, parking and impacts to a natural area.
Commissioner Paul Smith moved to approve the dog-park proposal and Commissioner Steve Gates seconded. Commissioner Ed Beaudette urged tabling the item, saying the commission had seen only one layout and that the location would worsen traffic and parking near Maple Street and Cedar Park Homes. “I would request that we table this until we get more information on other alternatives, better information on the cost, better information on all of the planning that needs to go into this,” Beaudette said.
Supporters said the site is centrally located and will reduce improper use of ball fields as informal dog areas. “It’s centrally located now for everyone in the community,” Commissioner Gates said. Chair Kevin Hart said the area had been cleaned up and predicted the park could channel dog activity away from athletic fields. CEO Bill Everett said, “I am in full support of this dog park,” and described a multiyear review of potential sites and enforcement problems at ball fields.
The key point of contention was access and parking. Beaudette said limited parking at the park entrance and the narrow junction at Maple Street would push vehicles onto adjacent roads and create congestion. Supporters acknowledged trade-offs but argued that distribution of trails and a fenced facility would better serve residents and allow enforcement where ball fields had become de facto dog areas.
The motion carried with four votes in favor and one dissent. Commissioners Kevin Hart, Steve Gates, Paul Smith and Mike Beausoleil voted yes; Commissioner Ed Beaudette voted no.
The decision directs staff to proceed with the approved proposal; the commission did not adopt additional parking or mitigation conditions in the motion. Next steps described during the meeting included coordinating with planning and trails groups to reduce off-trail erosion and assessing future parking needs as the project moves into design and implementation phases.
