Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What makes Hillside to the Hollow so important?
A. This is the largest chunk of unprotected open space and trails immediately adjacent to the city and -- since it spans 2.5 miles -- it defines our skyline. There are 10 miles of hiking and biking trails in the area that are used by the public every day.
Q. Doesn’t the Foothills Ordinance protect these lands from development?
A. No. The city needs to buy the property or pay for easements. The Foothills Ordinance can restrict development to a certain degree, but to preserve the area as open space, the city needs to acquire open space and trail easements.
Q. Could the Hillside to the Hollow area connect to trails in the Ridge to Rivers Trail network?
A. Yes, The trails on the east side could connect to Camelsback trails and the west side could connect to the new trails in Polecat Gulch.
Q. Why should the city put money towards this project?
A. The population of Boise is growing fast. Parks like Camel’s Back and Military Reserve are being loved to death. This is the last best chance to save the largest chunk of open space and trails immediately adjacent to the city.
Q. Why is it important to protect the area right now?
A. The community could lose access to Hillside to the Hollow at any time because the land is privately owned and could be developed or sold for housing development.
Q. Are you trying to negotiate with private landowners to buy the property?
A. No, that is the responsibility of the Boise City Foothills Levy Committee.
Q. Are there other foothills properties the city may want to purchase with levy funds?
A. Yes. We recognize that the selection of open space and trails for purchase is a community decision. That’s why we need the citizens of Boise to contact the Mayor and City Council and make it a high priority to buy Hillside to the Hollow.
Q. Does the City have enough money to buy Hillside to the Hollow?
A. We believe that in today’s market they do. Plus, there are many different tools that do not require cash that the city can use to preserve the property.
Q. Why hasn’t there been a deal struck yet?
A. It’s not an easy deal to make. There are six landowners involved. Some of them have been considered to be unfriendly towards land preservation. We believe it’s imperative for the city to take action now to save the land.
Q. Isn’t this just a knee-jerk NIMBY reaction to development threats?
A. No. This is a city-wide issue. The success of the 2000 Foothills Campaign showed that Boise taxpayers believe in protecting foothills open space.
Q. Aren’t the hills so steep that the area couldn’t be developed anyway?
A. Much of the area may be unsuitable for development under the Foothills Ordinance. Still, the summit areas could be flattened to make way for estate homes and fences would go up across the whole area, ruining access for everyone.
Q. Isn’t it too late? Isn’t this land already slated for development?
A. No. No development plans have been submitted to the city for the majority of the property.
Q. Are you trying to stop Eyrie 4?
A. Not necessarily. We are going to track this proposed development as it moves to the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission. It’s not too late to get a trail easement connecting to 36th Street and Polecat Gulch.
Q. Who opposes the effort to preserve Hillside to the Hollow?
A. We know that several landowners have a strong interest in developing their property. We are encouraging them to step up and be leaders in preserving the property to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Bottom line, they should be compensated for their property somehow.
Q. Aren’t there environmental impacts from people using this area already?
A. Yes. That’s why we’ve asked the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley to set up a Hillside to the Hollow Stewardship Fund so the public can contribute towards the costs of maintenance and special projects.
Visit our new Wildflower page !
Burn area re-seeding project lots of fun and hard work!
Listen to what residents are saying about the Hillside to the Hollow open space area:
