City needs open space plan

I am sad and bewildered to see the property adjacent to City Beach clearcut of all the magnificent Douglas fir, larch and most everything else with bark and leaves that once grew there.

This was a beautiful lot with wonderful potential for a home that could blend with the trees, the lake and the history of Whitefish. Now, it’s just a bare lot with lakeshore.

Understandably, as private property, the lot’s owners have every right to do whatever they wish with their property. But I am bewildered that they perceive their lot to be more desirable cleared of what I would consider its most desirable quality.

I know for certain that most people consider mature trees to be an asset to their property and to increase value significantly. Without knowing the full story of why the trees were cut, I can only guess the property owners thought cutting down the trees might help the property sell — as the lot is on the market — and that the trees were merely a liability. We shall see.

Our city leaders recently passed on an offer to buy this valuable site, adding it to our beautiful City Beach park, for the sensible reason that we couldn’t afford it. Of course, when the money isn’t there, the expense can’t be justified no matter how important and beneficial the property is. No argument there, for the short run. But what about long range planning?

Can we afford to lose time and again the special features that make Whitefish a beautiful and desirable place to live? I think we better not, or we become the often repeated fear — “like every place else.”

Fortunately, a few property owners have taken it upon themselves to preserve eminently special properties which they happen to own. Murdock’s conservation easement and the Averill Viking Creek wetland come to mind. I have to think it’s time we the public get some skin in the game and take responsibility for keeping our town special and beautiful.

Thus I challenge our city council to begin discussing an initiative, perhaps modeled after Missoula’s successful Open Space Bond, which might be a levy earmarked for purchasing important private property — and as always, from willing and cooperative sellers — to bring it into the public domain as parkland, open space or important natural areas.

We missed on this one at City Beach, but sure enough another natural asset we now take for granted could be gone overnight unless we muster the vision and the wherewithal to make a timely deal. As we know, money talks.

Let’s set some aside and in the bank for another golden opportunity.

— Leo Keane