Proposed Depot Park Stage: Whitefish Parks and Recreation Community Engagement Request for Input

I support the construction of a small permanent stage in Depot Park. It does not have to have a huge footprint to diminish green space (which is happily used by families enjoying the performances.) It doesn't have to have a large profile and obscure the train station, and it could be designed to prevent becoming a defacto transient shelter, a fear some have expressed. Music is an essential part of the culture of Whitefish, including the Farmer's Market. Currently musicians are expected to endanger their instruments, equipment and safety by setting up in the (frequently flooded) grass under a flimsy temporary shelter, subject to unpredictable winds and rain, and alternatively, unrelenting sun. Some protection from the elements by a permanent structure, as well as some elevation from the ground, simply makes sense.

Long overdue and a no brainer to understand the need for a permanent bandstand in the park. Not only is it a longstanding tradition but Whitefish has a vibrant and diverse community of professional entertainers to fill it.

Our family is absolutely in favor of the proposed stage.

One of the things I love about living in Whitefish is how many talented people we have in our community. I love seeing people have opportunities to share their gifts, but even more than that, I love the way music and the arts bring people together.

I’ve always enjoyed the live music at the Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings. It adds so much to the experience and creates the kind of atmosphere and connection that makes Whitefish special. I also believe that experience could be even better—for both the musicians and the people who come to listen—if we had a thoughtfully designed, permanent stage in Depot Park.

To me, though, this is about much more than simply building a stage. It’s about creating another great gathering place in the heart of our town—a place where families, neighbors, visitors, musicians, artists, nonprofits, and community organizations can come together outdoors and share experiences.

Love it! Please do it!!!!

I would want guarantees that whoever is booking the artists coordinates with the other venues, outdoor and otherwise, and the O'Shaughnessy Center so there is little overlap with other events in our very small area where there are many bookings already in a few block area. Last year a band in the park had the base up so loud it interfered with a performance at the O'Shaughnessy where there were paying customers. The Whitefish Theatre Company knows their season over a year in advance. The artists should also adhere to a strict noise ordinance.

The only thing that’s missing in Depot Park in my opinion to the stage! Let’s do this Whitefish!!

A small permanent stage in the North East corner of Depot Park would be a welcome addition to Whitefish’s outdoor venues. Performances at the farmers market highlight the need for this stage, but beyond the farmer’s market, having a permanent stage could bring more utilization to Depot Park, making it a central hub of outdoor activity for the Whitefish community during the summer months.

It is important to reinforce that this proposal has been presented by generous donors who are willing to fund this project entirely at no expense to the town and the tax payers. These opportunities do not come around frequently. Budgeting for ongoing maintenance, securing the stage to prevent unauthorized use, and maintaining the current beauty of Depot Park are all valid concerns, and these concerns should be addressed by the town before approving this project.

Arts, music, and performance bring people together. The connections forged through the arts make communities stronger. A permanent outdoor stage in Depot Park could become this hub for arts, music, and performance and would reinforce our community connections for years to come.

I prefer we keep the existing master plan with no permenant stage. Open green space and views of the train station and mountains are very important to the character of our town. I value the arts and there are multiple nearby outdoor and indoor music venues.

A stage would be very useful & a great addition to depot park. My family & I along with many other fellow musicians have enjoyed playing music in the park, however it does come with some challenges. Occasionally the grass has been soaked from either rain or sprinklers which makes it not great for having expensive instruments & sound equipment laying around. Once we were playing music & the wind picked up & almost took the tent away along with breaking some equipment. We ended up basically holding onto the tent while we tried to play then decided to just pack it up. Another challenge is the ole sun on a hot summer evening. At some point when temps get toasty fiddles & banjos can melt & the musicians get very grumpy. Ed Boggs does a great job & puts a lot of time & effort into setting everything up but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. A stage would get everything off the ground & offer some protection from the elements, plus it would look cool. I vote YES for a Montana entertainment stage at the Whitefish Depot Park.

I do not support a permanent stage in Depot Park. The 2012 Master Plan for the Park was spot on in its concept. The current configuration provides unlimited flexibility.

I love our town! And I love green space! I’m also someone who loves music. I’ve lived in the valley for 30 years and performed in Depot Park for just about as long. I have dragged 4 x 8‘ carpeted slabs, ”the stage”, from the Park shed to set up for farmers markets, that bounces while you play on it. I have played in the rain and the wind and the beating sun. I’ve also had many music students do the same. The grass is not any better. It’s time for a nice covered, permanent stage to live in our depot park.

If I learned anything while I was a part of building the new North Valley Music School, it is that sometimes plans change. Change is hard and sometimes change is really great! Sometimes the needs of a community change and we must adapt to those changes. I admit, after 30 years of living here, I’m definitely a stubborn local, but I know a good opportunity when I see one and this is one of those moments. We have a lot of green space here in our town, in our valley, in our state. I venture in it almost every day. It’s time to create a space in Depot park for our musicians to perform, knowing they are respected in our green space. Thank you for providing an opportunity for us to all share our thoughts.

I support the stage but I think the design is very important. It should also be large enough to allow drama productions and larger bands. Replacing the farmers market tent with a small stage is shortsighted. Something like the one in the park in c falls would make sense.

It would be a great advantage to all musicians and listeners of the Flathead Valley. Please put in a stage. I vote yes!

I think a stage in Depot Park would be a great addition to the community.

The Frog Pond String Band went to perform at Depot Park during the summer of 2024. It had rained before we arrived and the ground where Ed Boggs was going to set up the tent was flooded and muddy. A strong wind began blowing which made it extremely difficult to set up the tent with all of us helping. Black thunder clouds were rolling in from the distance when we started playing. We played for 10 minutes and it started raining, thundering and lightning. We had to run out in the rain and cover the speakers with lawn-leaf bags and shut down the sound system for 25 minutes. The ground flooded and all of our instrument cases got wet and the flimsy tent blew over and we got drenched. It was an absolute disaster and an extremely dangerous situation where a measly tent could not protect us from lightning. This was an extreme safety hazard. Our family band has very expensive instruments that could have been ruined by the weather. Needless to say, we never applied to perform up at the Whitefish Farmer's Market again. It is time to build a proper stage for the security of the performers and their instruments!

Depot Park is so precious....the center of activity for Whitefish....the Green space is so important and I appreciate the attention given to any change to the Master Plan. A small stage in the Northeast corner would provide for music, performances, a. speakers platform or other community events. The farmers market music tent has provided an example/platform for understanding the impact a small stage may have on the Park. A low profile stage off to the NE corner of the Park would not detract from the Beautiful Train Depot yet provide a backdrop for small events. The cost of the project and ongoing maintenance would be provided from a private funding grant. The stage could have a gate to restrict access to the stage platform. Community input is critical to any alteration to this precious place. Thanks to all whom have made Whitefish A special place!

I’m a musician in the Flathead Valley who frequents Whitefish and I would love to see a stage built! My heavily biased opinion is that every good park has a good stage. I love not setting my keyboard gear and my accordion on uneven, damp ground, and love a stage that keeps teetery toddlers (I have 2) from running up and grabbing or tripping on cables! I think music is a big part of the WF community and a stage would enhance the experience for everyone.

I support a permanent stage in Depot Park. I don’t think it will detract significantly from green space, while encouraging more live performances in a beautiful public space. We need the arts now more than ever!

Yes to a permanent stage in Depot Park, Whitefish
It will be well used,

This is a good idea. The small gazebo on the south east corner serves as only a shelter from the rain. A permanent stage in the NE Corner would provide a wonderful performance stage for music, theater productions, and other events. Regardless of the City statement that there is no available time for extra events, I think there is and it should be made available to the general public on a Depot Park Event Calendar.
I am in support of a permanent stage in Depot Park.

Yes