Call it River's Edge Park
A tundra swan takes a break in a slough in River's Edge Park on Monday during a snow squall. The birds are on their annual migration north. This one likely was blown off course and sought refuge in the Park, which is home to dozens of different bird species. — Chris Peterson photo
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
The City has selected Columbia Falls' River's Edge Park for the name of its park along the Flathead River.
The City Council on Monday voted to approve the name, which was one of five recommended by the park committee.
Land for the park was purchased last August. The 28-acre track is in the Mosquito Flats area and contains about 900 feet of river frontage.
A committee has since been meeting to work plans for the park. Little work has been done to the park thus far, but a parking area has been improved.
Councilwoman Julie Plevel updated the Council on the committee's progress. She said the committee is working on a number of goals for the park.
The hope is to have a primitive trail system for non-motorized use set up this summer and possibly create an enclosed dog park on the land.
She also noted that the committee will be looking at ways to have dust mitigation for the current parking area.
The River's Edge Park committee will meet again Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Focus of the meeting will be touring the park, which is located near Fourth Avenue East and Fifth Avenue East.
In other action:
? The Council took its second look at proposed changes to city ordinances and regulations. The Council is still weighing how to handle a rule that requires all driveways and parking lots in the city to be paved. Proposed changes are to extend the deadline for commercial use areas to 2013. The regulation, however, already states that residential areas should have been paved by 1989.
Other changes include a requirement that minor subdivisions of five lots or less must provide park in lieu of money. Also, a requirement that stored materials must be covered in residential districts.
The Council will vote on the changes at their next meeting on April 14.
In addition, the Council:
? Designated Arbor Day 2008 as an official Columbia Falls activity.
? Approval final plat on Olie's Acres, a two-lot minor subdivision.
? Approved an application of Robert Markle and Anne Scott-Markle for tax benefits for remodeling, reconstruction or expansion of an existing building. Scott-Markle owns Imagine Health on First Avenue West.
? Announced three public hearings for April 14. First is a request by United Methodist Church for additional parking at 305 Second Ave. W. Second, a request by PWER, Inc. for a drive-thru taco shop at an existing convenience store/gas station at 673 Eighth Ave. EN. Third, a conditional use permit for a request by Meadow Lake Development Corporation for a recreation facility at Spyglass Gardens at Meadow Lake Country Club Estates.