Ongoing improvements planned for Armory Park

A new playground is the latest improvement to Armory Park, but it’s just one of several future improvements planned for the park on the east edge of town.

Armory Park is the city’s largest park including the 5-acre Hugh Rogers WAG Dog Park, two softball fields, a lacrosse fieLd, the Dave Olseth Skate Park and the Roy Duff Memorial Armory, a facility used for a variety of purposes. In 2012 the Armory Park master plan was created.

“We’re looking to move forward with phases of that master plan,” Parks and Recreation Director Maria Butts said.

Previous phases of improvement already completed have included a dog park expansion including the construction of a pond in the park and paving the parking lot, development of the lacrosse field and renovation of the armory.

City Council recently appointed a selection committee to review proposals by firms to provide engineering for the next phases of improvements. Future plans include constructing a bike path to travel the perimeter of the park, a paved parking lot on the southern edge of the park, a well for irrigation, an adult fitness area, a pavilion and a picnic area. Funds from the resort tax, paved trail impact fees, parkland acquisition and development funds, and stormwater funds have been allocated to the project, along with Land and Water Conservation Fund grant funds.

Improvements are expected to be completed upon obtaining future funding.