Mayor Ryan Hunter on Monday suggested reopening Kalispell’s park restrooms for 24-hour use to curb defecation in city green spaces by homeless people.

He introduced the idea during Kalispell City Council’s review of the draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan meant to guide the city on the future of its parks, trails, facilities and recreation programs for the next 20 years.  

The plan considers a potential water trail with put-ins and take-outs, community parks on the north and south side of the city, and an indoor recreation facility. But the public’s largest concern was maintaining existing parks and addressing homeless activity at them, according to a survey conducted by the Parks and Recreation Department over the past six months.  

Hunter asked about 24-hour summer access to restrooms and whether winter alternatives were possible to provide homeless people with an option other than defecating outside. 

“Is there something we can do to ... provide bathrooms for folks who are living out on the streets but also being aware of the risks of vandalism, drug use and everything else?” Hunter asked. “It’s a complicated, difficult question.”  

Parks and Recreation Director Chad Fincher said that Woodland Park and Lawrence Park have portable restrooms open year-round, but that vandalism is an issue when bathrooms are kept open day and night.  

“In the time I’ve been here, we’ve had two major fires in bathrooms that have been left open 24 hours,” Fincher said.  

“I understand the concern, but the thousands of dollars that we go through in vandalism is just really hard to continue doing just because our budget doesn’t really afford that,” he added. 

Hunter also suggested having a social service provider accompany Kalispell Police while clearing homeless encampments at city parks. City Manager Jarod Nygren responded that coordinating with social services to respond with law enforcement to homeless complaints would be difficult.  

MONTANA FISH, Wildlife and Parks spokesperson Dillon Tabish on Monday night offered to partner with the city in rejuvenating Woodland Park Pond and stocking it with trout. The pond would provide an easily accessible spot for residents to recreate without having to drive far out of town, Tabish said.  

To accommodate the fish, though, the three-foot-deep pond would need to be dredged. Councilor Sid Daoud raised concern that a deeper pond may pose a risk to ice skaters during the winter. 

In the last 10 years, however, the weather has not been cold enough for the city to clear snow from the ice or put equipment on it, according to Fincher.  

“Typically, what you see down there now is you will see people at their own risk moving snow around,” Fincher said.   

“Only a few years ago, we were holding the Pond Hockey Classic down there. In a short amount of time, you’re seeing weather patterns not conducive to making ice,” he added.  

The state department wouldn’t foot the entire project bill but committed to pulling money from a fund dedicated to supporting family fishing in Northwest Montana.   

CITY HALL will also consider changing standards for parks run by Homeowners Associations, according to Michael Terrell with Michael Terrell Landscape Architecture. The firm was hired to lead and guide the master plan update.  

Hunter appeared interested in potential revisions. While campaigning in the fall, he said he noticed some neighborhoods had narrow, long greenspaces that limited recreation.  

“Some of them are great and some of them are clearly an afterthought,” Hunter said.  

About 60% of the master plan is finished so far. The completed plan will be considered by Council in the spring.  

COUNCIL ALSO heard from the six applicants looking to fill the open Ward 3 seat.  

Madison Evans, Arthur Fretheim, James Haring, Karlene Khor, Cassidy Kipp and Dustin Leftridge all pitched their interest in the spot vacated by Hunter’s ascension to mayor.  

Evans said her experience as a therapist will prove helpful in instilling positive change. 

“In my field of work, active listening, conflict management and collaboration is the name of the game. I believe I can utilize these skills to be a voice for the residents, meet with people on the same level, be open and shape positive change for our community,” Evans said.  

A teacher and former candidate for the state Legislature, Fretheim has regularly attended Council meetings in the past and encouraged other residents to get involved in municipal government as well. Haring, a software engineer and resident in Ward 3 for 26 years, emphasized the importance of communication in leadership.  

Kohr is the manager of a limited liability company that owns property on Main Street and pledged to represent the local businesses that operate in Ward 3.  

“When you lose your downtown, when you lose your Main Street, the heart of your city stops,” she said.  

A former Kalispell Planning Commission member, Khor said her appointment would bring a sense of stability and familiarity to Ward 3 following the Council turnover earlier this month. 

Drawing on a background in housing-focused social work, Kipp expressed the importance of addressing issues early. 

“I’ve seen firsthand what happens when problems are ignored until they become crisis. Fixing those problems early is not only the right thing to do, but it’s the most responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” Kipp said.  

Leftridge has practiced law in Kalispell for 12 years and helped organize the successful campaign for the Kalispell Public Schools levy passed last year.  

“Decisions made here shape people’s lives and require thoughtful collaboration. If appointed, I can promise you this,” Leftridge said.  

Council will vote on a new councilor at its Jan. 20 meeting. The chosen candidate will serve out the remainder of Hunter’s term, which ends in December 2027. 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].