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Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails
seek input on
grant for adjacent trail improvement
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Letter to the Editor, Shoshone News-Press,
December 10, 2003
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The Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails, in conjunction
with the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation of Coeur
d'Alene, are applying for an Idaho Department of Parks
and Recreation grant under the Recreational Trails Program.
The purpose of this grant is to upgrade the Northern Pacific
(NP) rail line from Shoshone Park to the Idaho/Montana state
line located at Lookout Ski Area.
These groups are writing this grant in response to bicyclists
who are trying to make their way from the Trail of the Coeur
d'Alenes, terminating in Mullan, to the Route of the Hiawatha,
located in Taft, Montana.
Further, because the rail line is multiple use, other
recreationists will be able to benefit from these
improvements as well. This includes hikers, ATV'ers, people
in vehicles, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
Under no circumstances are we trying to, or will entertain
changing the designation of this route to cyclist only.
The grant request is to regrade the rail beds, add directional
signs, provide kiosks for historical sites, tables and benches
along the way, and provide a toilet in the area of the Stevens Lake
trailhead.
If the public wishes to comment on this grant proposal, either
positively or negatively, please contact the Friends of the Coeur
d'Alene Trails, PO Box 804, Wallace, Idaho 83873.
Jon Ruggles, President
Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails
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