Voters to decide on future of five parks

City says underused parks divert

resources

Havre voters may get a chance this fall to sell off five city parks that city officials say are under-used.

Mayor Tim Solomon said city attorneys are preparing legal papers that would authorize the city to sell the parks. Solomon said the parks department is anxious to sell the parks and concentrate resources on parks that city residents enjoy in large numbers.

Once the paperwork is completed, he said, City Council will decide whether to place the matter on the fall election ballot.

Most of the parks are not included on the city’s website that lists parks.

Hidden Valley Park, off Saddle Butte Drive, was taken off the list of possible closures by City Council Monday night after neighborhood residents said the park was an asset to the neighborhood.

The park has no playground equipment, but it has been used by children and adults in the neighborhood for years, said neighborhood resident Dave Evans.

It had always been well maintained, he said, until recent years. What was once a well-manicured park has turned into a “mound of weeds.”

Evans said he didn’t think the city would get much money for the land. It is zoned single-family residential, but the lay of the land would make it very difficult to build a home.

Havre resident Bill Lanier added that after College Hill, the area is the best snow sledding area in the city.

City Councilwoman Pam Hillery said the city should take Hidden Valley off the list to be closed and assure residents that it will not be shut down for the near future.

“The neighborhood needs a sense that they don’t have to keep tracking this,” she said.

This will be the second referendum this fall.

Voters will also be asked to vote on a massive street repair program.

Council members are discussing the possibility of launching a public education program, letting the public know more about the the 20-year repair plan.

Here are the parks that would be auctioned off under the proposal that will go to Havre City Council:

• Tourist Park,

1st Street and 12th Avenue

• Sunrise Edition

6th Street and 12th Avenue

• Shulund #3, a dirt park

• North Eagles Park

Main and 19th Avenue

• Morningside Second Addition Hill Street and 8th Avenue