Mountain of recreation awaits in Rathdrum
This aerial photo shows 540 acres in Rathdrum that will be opened to the public for recreation on Aug. 10; the city in the lower right. It also shows the looped Story Walk Trail will be at the Rathdrum Mountain site. (Courtesy of the City of Rathdrum)
Rathdrum's property on Rathdrum Mountain will include a parking lot, trails, a shelter and host site. The property will open on Aug. 10. (Courtesy of City of Rathdrum)
LOREN BENOIT/Press Barrett Road, which leads to a long-anticipated recreation site on Rathdrum Mountain, has been widened and paved as required by the Post Falls Highway District. The city of Rathdrum site is scheduled to open on Aug. 10.
The city of Rathdrum plans to open its site overlooking the Rathdrum Prairie for light recreation on August 10. Pictured is the parking lot at the base of the mountain. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
RATHDRUM — The climb to provide public access to Rathdrum's 540 acres on Rathdrum Mountain is finally reaching its end.
After 25 years that included addressing neighbor and highway district concerns, seeking public input and other logistical efforts, the city plans to open its site overlooking the Rathdrum Prairie for light recreation on Aug. 10.
"A lot of people have been wanting to see this happen for a very long time," City Administrator Leon Duce said. "To finally have a date that we'll open this to the public is really exciting."
Duce said details such as the time and specific activities for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening will be announced in the near future.
Barrett Road leading to the site has been widened and paved as required by the Post Falls Highway District.
"Paving goes all the way up to our parking lot and host site," Duce said.
Work on the parking lot is ongoing and should be completed in mid-July, he said.
Eric Singer, the city's parks and recreation director, is working on the site's Story Walk Trail, a half-mile loop from the parking lot along a creek.
"The purpose of the Story Walk Trail is to get kids away from their phones and electronics and get them outside learning while also getting exercise," Singer said. "We anticipate day cares and elementary schools to use the trail for both education and physical fitness."
The trail will have areas in which stories can be read. By the time you've walked the entire trail, you will have read the story.
"The stories will primarily be children’s stories, but the pages can easily be changed out and customized to specific topics or age ranges," said Singer, adding that the Rathdrum Library is supplying the reading material.
The effort is being assisted by the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors, and Boy Scouts.
The association secured a $4,116 grant from the National Association of Realtors to build the trail. Members of the group will also work with the city to dig holes, pour concrete and place the 20 storybook holders to prepare the trail for the public to enjoy.
"Realtors live, work and volunteer in their communities and take immense pride in working to improve them," said Amanda Kuespert, the association's president. "This grant will allow us to address areas in our community that are in need of enhancement and revitalization and create a place where friends and neighbors can come together.
"It creates places where people feel a strong stake in their neighborhoods and are committed to making things better. As the area around Rathdrum becomes more attractive and welcoming, nearby properties may also increase in value."
Duce said some other "little surprises" are still in the works for opening day.
The site includes streams, giant cedar trees and dirt Forest Service roads. Some areas offer partial views of Rathdrum and the Rathdrum Prairie.
Duce said several volunteers have stepped forward to design trails. The city also received a $25,000 grant from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation to help develop the site.
The city will also be looking for a volunteer site host to monitor the property and for volunteers for future efforts. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from Rathdrum Police, will occasionally patrol the area.
"It's the city's property, but the county holds jurisdiction," Duce said. "Our officers are cross-deputized if the need arises."
The trail system at the site will be developed over several years.
"People will be able to walk on the roads, but there won't be many trails to start," Duce said.
Duce said interest in utilizing the property is already high.
"Some people ventured up there after construction started when there wasn't a gate up," he said. "We had to put up a gate and state that it wasn't open to the public yet."
Duce said the hours that the site will be open haven't been finalized, but they'll be during daylight times and likely change with the seasons.
"We may be closed during the first winter," he said.
The city received a City Achievement Award for the Rathdrum Mountain project from the Association of Idaho Cities during the group's conference in Boise June 19-21.
The award recognizes the work of cities that have implemented programs to improve quality of life, address community challenges and enhance service in cost-effective ways.
The Post Falls Highway District in 2014 validated Barrett as a county road, ending a 20-year fight between the city and some adjacent landowners on whether the city could open its property to public access.
Community and stakeholder input revealed low-impact recreational uses such as hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, viewpoints and educational opportunities would be the best use for the site. Motorcycles and ATVs will not be allowed.
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Brian Walker can be reached at bwalker@cdapress.com, 208-664-8176, Ext. 2029 or on Twitter @brianCDAPress.