SPLASH: Feeling blue, Cd'A

The Coeur d’Alene lakeshore and Spokane River can be soothing to look at and enjoy from anywhere along the Dike Road and Lakeshore Drive by the college and the Ft. Grounds neighborhood, as well as by Sanders Beach. I lived in both those areas and grew up swimming off Tubbs Hill beaches, jumping off the rocks like hundreds of kids over the years. We splashed “the Blue” every chance we could in the warm summers.

It was a special time and place. Five sawmills lined the river from the college to the Post Falls dam. It was said that “if it weren’t for the lake we all love and the industry it supported, the deep tree-lined river could easily have been the focus of our community.” Now the “river arm of the lake” could be even more of a community asset with trails, pathways, and picnic areas extending along the former riverside railroad corridor through Riverstone into the undeveloped land where the Atlas Sawmill used to be.

City leaders have the opportunity to acquire that land and partner with its development. The vision of the CdA 2030 Program clearly emphasizes extending the city’s waterfront access west along the river by acquiring key parkland there. As new homes and apartments develop there, it’s vital to the city and youth of the future to have waterfront access and parks nearby when we can. Key waterfront areas in communities across the country have been acquired, owned and developed by cities for their citizens and we encourage and thank our elected officials and city staff for taking the opportunity to continue to make the best trails and park system possible with waterfront access as this city moves progressively into the future — providing a key “Splash of Blue” for the entire community.

SANDY EMERSON

Coeur d’Alene