The city of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department completed work in Depot Park this summer, and it’s looking ahead to projects for next year. A gazebo was constructed in the south-east corner of the park in partnership with the Rotary Club of Whitefish, which secured both local funding as well as grant funding from Rotary International to support the project.

Financial support from Rotary helped to complete the landscaping around the gazebo including perennials, hanging flower baskets, benches, boulders, and holiday lights. Members of the club also volunteered to build picnic tables for inside of the gazebo.

The Parks and Recreation department will recognize Rotary’s contributions with a plaque to be installed at the gazebo, according to Carla Belski, Community Services Coordinator for the Parks and Recreation department.

Additional work is planned for the park next year and will be presented to the Park Board at its Dec. 12 meeting prior to going before City Council in January. The Park Board meets at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

A detailed rendering of the Depot Park mater plan is being completed by Robert Peccia & Associates and Bruce Boody, Landscape Architect.

Bids are set to go out in February and work is expected to be completed by early summer.

The next phase of the Depot Park master plan project is set to include work in the southern and western portions of the park.

The existing building, shed and parking lot will be removed, and new irrigation and grass will be installed in these areas. Additional drainage work and installation of irrigation will also take place in the old pond location.

Finally, electricity and water sources for events will be installed near the gazebo.

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 863-2470.