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

I am supportive of constructing a stage at Depot Park. This will greatly enhance music performance. Music is an important part of a community gathering spot. Thanks, Karin

This is definitely something that would benefit the Whitefish community! Having something like this would show that Whitefish is a place the really appreciates and supports the fine arts.

All for it! Live music performances make this green space even more vibrant, alive, and special. Let's build it. Music and art makes a community better. Let's be better!

In the 30 years I've lived in the Flathead Valley and the five years I lived in Whitefish, the thing I always thought was missing was a meaningful stage for the community. With much of white fish's Economy based around music and nightlife and it's small town high value feel, it would only make sense to create a space in the Town Center devoted to the Arts and musicianship. I imagine a space like this creating a significant Improvement and appeal to performances that do not cater to bar or theater level crowds which all of the community can enjoy. There will be noise which is why the community should buy in so they all have a say, not if and why, rather how late how loud? everyone wins.

As a performing musician who primarily plays in whitefish, I would love to see a stage in depot park. Live music brings people together and having a designated outdoor space will only add value to the community of whitefish, elevating the already growing music & arts community. The big sky arts council hosts Music in the mountains at their city stage and I could see something like that working really well in whitefish. It would be great for existing events too like whitefish farmers market, huckleberry fest and the other wonderful events in whitefish.

Finally! Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Bigfork all have permanent stages in their main parks for events. About time Whitefish had one. And tear down the useless log “wandering freight train nomad” gazebo.

I attended the community meeting at City Hall on September 16 but did not participate in the survey as the questions did not seem to clearly cover the decisions which are presently before the community and city officials. In reading the current Depot Park Master Plan it clearly states: A) covered pavilion for small performances and B) event spaces in street scapes. In addition it clearly emphasizes the importance of maintaining flexible open green space. Before considering any radical changes to the existing master plan (which would be required for a new permanent stage and expanded hardscape construction) it seems most logical to consider options for modifying the existing pavilion so that it can better serve the community under the existing Master Plan.

Additionally, any potential consideration for viable alterations or additions to Depot Park must include planning for consequent increased public restroom and parking needs. Thank you for your careful and thoughtful management of this valuable community resource.

I support the stage in Depot Park. The park is an entire city block with plenty of room to place a small stage that would not impede on the open space.

I oppose a permanent stage. The unhoused population utilizes the gazebo & I don’t see the stage being a different situation. Who is in charge of maintenance & upkeep? The park is a nice, open space. Multiple organizations & events set up a stage throughout the year with apparent success, a permanent structure seems completely unnecessary.

I do not support constructing a permanent stage for Depot Park and prefer the City of Whitefish keep the public open space.

I do not support the permanent structure in depot park. From what Ive heard a lot of thought and work has been put into the master plan. There is very little greenspace downtown already, No more structures! Let's keep the open space, views to the train station, and big mountain open! I use this park for lunchbreaks to get away from the urban culture. The additions of more structures will only add to the park's maintenance, which is already an overwhelming task for our parks dept.

I DO NOT support building a permanent structure in Depot Park. I think the open public greenspace the current Park provides is its highest value. A permanent structure would intrude on that space, be an additional maintenance cost to the City, and encourage more events that monopolize the Park and exclude non-attendees from utilizing our open space.

I’m against it. It will be a magnet for
middle school kiddos and vagrants.
How/who will be liable as far as safety issues?
Also let’s keep some GREEN SPACE-
Thank you

1) We have very little green space downtown. What we have now is so nice to just relax and enjoy lunch or play with your kids. Once you build a structure it will be there forever. I think that it is important to maintain this green space for all to use. IN PEACE.
2) We already hear the music from 38 Central in the entire downtown area(even all the way at my home on Somers Ave I hear it). I don't think it is fair to add more noise to the park and force whatever type of noise/music somebody wants to play onto everyone in the park because a few people want to play their instruments outdoors.

I am not in support of a permanent stage or additional hardscape. There are around 7 events that take place in Depot Park each year, and of those, only 4 use a stage, all of which are in a different location and are of a different size. Given the limited number of potential dates for additional events in Depot Park, it does not seem justifiable to reduce or change the green space our community enjoys throughout the year.

I am proud of the way Depot Park has turned out after the many phases of construction. I would like it to remain an open green space.

The city JUST recently finished the depot park master plan, and spent how many hundreds of thousands?? The park looks great as is. DO NOT add hardscape or a stage. Don't pave paradise and put up a parking lot! It's happening around town way to much.

Is a musical venue needed at the location in our downtown? Will taxpayers be responsible for maintenance or any other costs? There are music venues already in the area. Please don’t reduce the limited green space required for public activities close to downtown Whitefish.
Open green space allows for open ended play for everyone. The permanent structure might obscure the view of the historic train station. The current green space serves everyone while a stage will not.

I do not want a permanent stage in our public depo park. A permanent stage will encourage events that will fence out the public from enjoying the park. Our families and guests enjoy this beautiful open green space. Please keep our park open to the public.

We do not support the permanent stage. The number of events held in depot park that require a stage are limited, so it doesn't seem necessary. Events should fund the materials, like a stage, that they need. Visualizing the stage in the winter also seems like it's not the best thing for the park. Keep the original master plan and the green space.