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New signs approved for Smith Fields

HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 11 months AGO
by HEIDI DESCH
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. | August 11, 2021 1:00 AM

Project Whitefish Kids has received a variance to install signs at the Smith Fields sports complex.

City Council last week approved the nonprofit’s request to add three monument entrance signs to the 61-acre sports field complex. The signs are 5 feet, 6 inches tall with a sign area on each side of about 15 square feet.

The city does not have specific sign standards for public parks and parks are located in several different sign districts throughout the city, all having different sign size requirements.

Don Bestwick, representing Project Whitefish Kids, pointed out that both North Valley Hospital and the Springs at Whitefish adjacent to Smith Fields have signs larger than those requested to be installed at the park.

He says the new signs will make it easy for people to locate the park, and the signs are of similar size to those at the WAG dog park. The signs will be located at the three entrances to the complex.

Council last week also approved a request for a conditional use permit for a guest house at 350 Armory Road. The proposal is to add a new primary residence to the property and then designate the existing structure on the property as a guest house.

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