Hasslinger: Take a walk with me

How convenient, or inconvenient, would the trek be?

If Phase 1 of the McEuen Field project went through as presented, would it be a pain-in-the-motor for boaters looking to park their trailers at the east parking lot near City Hall?

The journey would look something like this: Drop off the boat at Third Street Marina, drive around a block north to Front Avenue, turn right, drive five blocks east, turn right, drive a block or two south and then park — followed by a five-block walk, along the base of Tubbs Hill, back to the marina.

Keep in mind it’s likely summer, so walking conditions would be ideal temperature wise.

Too far away to drive, park and walk, some say.

But that’s the plan so far, and proponents call it a heckuva compromise.

How did it get here? The parking lot on the east side of the park was originally planned for Phase 2 of the project — which is still a ways out — but incorporated into Phase 1 since the boat launch was kept as part of the Phase 1 plan. The boat launch, you may recall, was originally supposed to be removed.

But compromise, timing and a financially affordable scaled-back Phase 1 included the boat launch and attached boat trailer parking on the east side parking lot, since it was included in Phase 1.

The city, meanwhile, is still looking to build a boat launch one day at Silver Beach, which could be the ‘equal or better’ replacement launch should Third Street  be removed one day.

That’s all yet to be determined. In the meantime, should Phase 1 go through as presented, and boaters have to park and walk? Would it be a pleasant stroll in an improved park, or a major pain for those who just want to get their vessels on the water?

Tom Hasslinger can be reached in the newsroom at (208) 664-8176 ext. 2010 or [email protected]