Havre City Council approves lease agreement for dog park

Havre City Council approved Tuesday a lease and of property behind the Havre Ice Dome to the Havre Dog Park Club.

“I think it is another way to grow as a community,” Council President Terry Lilletvedt said. “I think the dog parks in other communities have been a positive thing in those communities.”

Club member Bob Bergren told the council that he stands in support of the dog park.

“It has been a very interesting venture to get involved with, and there are not a lot of people against. It usually has a pro and a con, but there are not a lot of cons on this,” Bergren said.

Council member Erik Meis, who voted to approve the lease, said he walks his dog on the Baltrusch Nature Trail regularly and sees no real need in having a dog park.

“I’m not against the dog park, but I don’t see a need for it with the Baltrusch Trail,” said Meis, who was appointed last fall to take the place of Andrew Brekke who resigned when he moved to a new residence outside of his council district.

He said he has concerns about the park not having a restroom area for people to use while at the dog park as well as snow removal on the property during the winter months.

He added that he commends the group for their effort but has some concerns.

“I’m just a little flabbergasted,” Meis said.

The lease agreement specifies that the Dog Park Club is responsible for snow removal and maintenance on the property, Havre Mayor Tim Solomon said.

Havre Dog Park Club was created April last year. The club is open for any new members and meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the District 4 Human Resources and Development Council building. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has held several fundraisers over the past year as well as having a website, Facebook page and a GoFundMe page.

Club member Bill Lanier told the council that one of the fundraisers the club has done was a calendar photo contest last fall. He said the organization received more than 400 photos for the calendar.

He added that since the Dog Park Club was created, its Facebook membership has grown to 579 members, and the club has raised more than $4,000 for the dog park project.

Dog Park Club President Chad Stewart told the council they are about half-way to their goal for phase one of their building plan.

This plan will include fencing and lawn care, he said Monday during the clubs monthly meeting.

“There is extreme interest in Havre for this, and we would really appreciate your support,” Lanier told the council Tuesday.

Lanier said Solomon has been working with the club to get this lot of land and the entire club is excited to get started on the project.

Stewart said Monday that Solomon told the club about the lot of land behind the Ice Dome last month and the club worked on drafting the a lease agreement with the city in order to obtain the property.

Lanier told the council that now that they have the property, they will hopefully receive more donations, supporters and sponsors.

He added that with the property they will be able to design plans for what the dog park will look like to show invested parties that the club is moving forward. He said he also encouraged everyone on the council and in the Havre area to attend the meeting.

Club Member Greg Kinholt, who brought his service dog, Copper, to Tuesday’s meeting, said he has already taken Copper to the property to check it out.

“As far as (Copper) is concerned it is ready to be finished,” Kinholt said.

He added that he already has 10 people ready to contribute to the dog park, although they were waiting for the club to get the property. He added that he is grateful to the city for including the dog park on the city insurance as well as for the $1 a year lease agreement.

Solomon said Havre’s insurance plan already covers dog parks, so the approval of the lease would also include the dog park on the insurance.

Stewart said the club plans to have a fully enclosed area for the dog park and have it be a designated area for dogs to be social. He added that the trail is not specific to dogs, with Baltrusch Trail being open to bikers, joggers and walkers.

Kinholt added that some people will appreciate the dogs having their own specific place separate from the trails for other users.

He said the Dog Park Club has begun to develop rules people will have to follow including planning to divide the dog park into two separate sections, one for larger dogs and one for smaller dogs. The club also plans to require all dogs that will be going to the park to be licensed and up-to-date on all of their shots and vaccinations.

The Dog Park Club is also planning to eventually install a dual water station, a water fountain for both people and dogs, and a restroom on the property.

In the beginning, Kinholt said, it may just be a port-a-potty, but in the future, if people want to contribute or sponsor the dog park, they might be able to build a permanent bathroom.

Club member Juanita Sanborn said that the park is also beneficial to elderly dog owners who may be unable to walk their animals. The club plans to have benches at the park for people to sit on, she said, so elderly people can sit and still be able to have their dog get exercise and be social with other dogs.

The lease agreement was approved unanimously.

“I think, honestly, I am so supportive of this dog park; I think it is a great idea,” Lilletvedt said. “I think it is great for the community. I think it is a great opportunity for dog owners.