The bandshell in Library Park, behind the Great Falls Public Library, was demolished on May 10.
It’s a project that was being discussed since last summer.
The library contracted with Shumaker Trucking and Excavating Contractors for up to $15,000 for the demolition.
Since the contract was under $25,000, it was approved at the library director level, under city policy.
Susie McIntyre, library director, told The Electric that the contract is being paid through donations.
She said the library will continue Music in the Parks.
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The concrete pad under the bandshell will remain in place and the electricity will be reconnected.
A donor provided the library with a large performance tent for the bands.
McIntyre said that the library is working with Cushing Terrell on a design for the library-owned park space that includes a landscape designer to beautify the park.
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“We want the park to be a safe, welcoming place for everyone. We also want to be able to continue to use the park for outdoor programming,” McIntyre told The Electric.
Last July, the library board directed staff to form a committee with neighbors, library officials and the library foundation to discuss options to secure Library Park to prevent misuse.
That committee met multiple times and gave updates during the library board meetings, which are open to the public.
In November, the library board voted to accept the board’s park task force recommendations, which included demolition of the bandshell, and to direct the library director to implement those recommendations
During the July 25 library board meeting, McIntyre said that neighboring property owners have concerns about people in the park overnight, despite signage that the park is closed overnight; fighting; drug and alcohol use; and other issues in the greenspace.
McIntyre said then she had met with some of the neighbors and a landscape architect about those concerns and potential solutions.
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“We want to be a good neighbor,” she said.
The library had already addressed some other issues in the park including:
- removing uneven portions of sidewalk and new sidewalk has been installed where needed
- two trees damaged during sidewalk removal have been removed
- other trees have been trimmed
- sickly juniper bushes have been removed
- benches and the picnic table have been moved
- irrigation system has been reinstalled
- new sod has been laid
Most city parks have been experiencing similar issues and there’s a citywide issue of the unhoused population and some groups of people causing problems in public areas.
Last summer, the board and staff discussed the possibility of fencing the park.
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McIntyre said last summer that she’d spoken with the city attorney about the legality of denying access to the Library Park, which is public property owned by the Great Falls Public Library.
She said she believed staff could craft a policy that is legal and fair but she wanted guidance from the library board before moving forward.
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In July 2023, the board discussed moving the roof or wall of the bandshell to make it less inviting for people to hang out.
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Earlier this spring, the library hired two new security specialists, positions that were created with the library levy that voters approved in June 2023.
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Michael Yegerlehner told the board in July 2023 that he appreciated the library staff’s efforts to be proactive in addressing safety issues while still working to provide a community space for all.
Yegerlehner is involved with Housed Great Falls, a local nonprofit working to develop a low-barrier shelter for the unhoused population.
The summer music series will go on as planned.
All shows begin at 7 p.m. behind the library.
This summer’s lineup is:
- June 18: Joel Corda
- June 25: Wilber Rehmann Quintet
- July 9: Pollo Loco
- July 16: Brandon Hale and the Dirty Shame
- July 23: Supaman
- Aug. 6: Little Jane and the Pistol Whips
- Aug. 13: The Lucky Valentines
- Aug. 20: John Floridis
- Aug. 27: Great Falls Blue Grass
Photo courtesy Great Falls Public Library.
