PLT secures funding from Idaho Parks and Recreation to purchase a permanent trail easement across Endowment Trust lands, connecting Ponderosa State Park and Lick Creek Rd for public access and safety.
Payette Land Trust (PLT) has been awarded a $300,000 grant from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) through Governor Little’s Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council (ORFAC)*. This grant will allow PLT to purchase a permanent trail easement from Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). The easement is across the White Pine and Lick Creek Endowment properties located between the Pilgrims Cove subdivision and Lick Creek Rd.
PLT, in an effort to continue conserving lands and access around Big Payette Lake, applied for a grant through the ORFAC program in the fall of 2023. With an understanding that as Idaho grows, historical access to important places are being lost when they are not legally documented.
In 2022, PLT secured permanent public access to the Payette River through the Payette River Walk easement. Now, PLT is applying the same concept to Ponderosa State Park. The trail easement will create a permanent public pathway along Miles Standish Rd connecting Ponderosa State Park and Lick Creek Rd at the cell tower site. Once the easement is recorded, PLT will work with other organizations to build a trail. Once constructed, the trail will provide a secondary public entrance to the east side of the Park by connecting to the existing trail network along Lick Creek Rd.
Historically, Miles Standish Rd. has been the “backway” into Ponderosa. As McCall continues to grow, vehicle traffic on the road will increase, creating the possibility of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
“McCall and Valley County have been relying too heavily on existing roadways to provide a de-facto trail system,” said Payette Land Trust Executive Director Craig Utter. “It is important for our community to create dedicated spaces for trails which provide for safe recreation and travel for walkers, runners and bikers.”
This grant has allowed IDPR, IDL and PLT to work together for the collective good of McCall and Valley County benefiting current and future residents and visitors. “Cooperation and collaboration between multiple partners is the best way to make long lasting effective change,” said Utter. “This project utilizes Governor Little’s vision to expand outdoor recreation by bringing together two State agencies and a local non-profit to secure public access to a beloved State Park.”
“This project was chosen because it preserves public access at this location, regardless of what development or changes occur on these lands moving forward,” said Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton. “ORFAC provided the ability to work together on this easement purchase and we thank the Payette Land Trust for taking this on.”
“This is an opportunity to provide recreational opportunities to the public with trail access to the Ponderosa State Park while maintaining our undivided loyalty to the endowment beneficiary,” said Roger Hall, Idaho Department of Land Real Estate Bureau Chief. “It has been rewarding to work with the Payette Land Trust, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and the Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council on this project, and we look forward to the completion of this proposed trail.”
The value of the trail easement will be determined by IDL through an appraisal of the property affected by the easement. IDL will follow standard protocol governing the sale of an easement on State Endowment Trust Lands. These properties are located within the Payette Endowment Lands Strategy area and described as parcels C and D.**
*The Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council (ORFAC) was created by Gov. Brad Little and the Idaho Legislature to recommend projects to expand outdoor recreation or access to it in Idaho. Examples could include expansion of recreational facilities (parks, trails, boating, etc.) or agreements to gain entry to new areas for public recreation. Read more here: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/orfac/
**IDL Payette Endowment Lands Strategy
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