City closes additional park facilities to access
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 3 months AGO
The City of Whitefish has closed the Skate Park as a result of the governor’s stay-at-home order in response to the coronavirus outbreak. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
The City of Whitefish has closed the WAG dog park as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | March 31, 2020 1:47 PM
The City of Whitefish has closed additional parks and facilities as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Whitefish Park Board on March 17 approved certain closures and changes to operations of city parks and facilities. Now, the city has closed the skate park, WAG dog park, gazebos, and all pickleball, tennis and basketball courts.
City Manager Dana Smith said the city was forced to closed additional facilities because individuals have been observed gathering at certain park locations and disregarding social distancing of staying 6-feet apart from others.
The city had already closed its playgrounds, along with the Stumptown Ice Den and Roy Duff Memorial Armory.
Gov. Steve Bullock also issued a stay-at-home directive last week that went into effect on March 28 and remains in place through April 10.
“While recreating outside is approved as an essential activity, everyone must keep a distance of 6 feet between individuals,” Smith said in a statement. “Furthermore, non-essential and social gatherings of individuals outside of a home or place of residence are also prohibited, regardless of size, if proper social distancing cannot be maintained.”
All city open space parks remain open for recreating while keeping a distance of 6 feet between individuals. The city is asking park users to pack out their own trash.
For more information or questions about outdoor recreation in Whitefish, call the city Parks and Recreations Department at 406-863-2470.
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