May 01, 2011Our View: Harrison Hollow is Boise’s next best place to preserveOUR VIEW HARRISON HOLLOW- Idaho StatesmanFor decades, Harrison Hollow has been a public resource under private ownership.Hikers, bikers and horseback riders have enjoyed free access — in the true sense of the word — because landowners have kept a network of Foothills trails open to the public. A place to cherish in the backyard of bustling Boise. But not a place to take for granted. Last summer, the 58-acre Harrison Hollow parcel was placed on the open market, listed for the first time in half a century. Zoned for one-acre home lots, the relatively flat land near Bogus Basin Road has development value. If Boiseans value Harrison Hollow more — as recreational land and wildlife habitat — they have eight months to prove it. They can help the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley purchase this property and maintain it as open space. The private group has boldly stepped in where no other public entity can, securing an agreement to buy the land. The catch is the fundraising; the group is 60 percent of the way to its $580,000 goal, and faces a Dec. 28 deadline. For the Land Trust — and for those who treasure open space in the Foothills — this is a different type of preservation effort. The trust has generally worked out conservation easements and agreements that allow landowners to trade development rights for tax incentives. This is the group’s first foray into buying property. And the trust is the only game in town. The city used a voter-approved property tax levy for 10,300 acres of shrewd acquisitions, stretching $10 million to protect lands with $34 million of market value. But the city’s last big deal, the purchase of Hammer Flat, depleted the Foothills fund. Unless and until the Idaho Department of Fish and Game finds funding to reimburse the city for purchasing Hammer Flat’s valuable big-game winter range, the days of city-brokered preservation are over. “People have been sitting back and relying on the city,” says Tim Breuer, the land trust’s executive director. “That’s done, for the time being.” Some donors already recognize this — including the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, which has generously contributed $250,000. It’s an important first step. In that same vein, the 58-acre Harrison Hollow purchase would represent an important first step in a larger effort to preserve 400 acres of private land stretching to Hillside Junior High School. This “Hillside to the Hollow” area is striped with trails, but for many users, the hollow provides the jumping-off point. “You’ve got to get the entryway,” said Breuer. Long-range stewardship requires vision. But it also requires a willingness, and an ability, to capitalize when opportunity comes along. Last spring, the city did just that when it spent $4.1 million to purchase Hammer Flat. Now, with Harrison Hollow on the market, the Land Trust is trying to achieve the same purpose. Valuable open space parcels come up for sale when they come up for sale. This next best place to preserve represents a rare opportunity. A decade after voters approved the levy, the time has come for Boiseans to again invest in the Foothills. The economy is shakier. Boiseans are being asked to cut checks — which can have a much more personal and tangible impact than simply voting yes on a citywide levy. It won’t be easy. Good things and bold decisions seldom are. “Our View” is the editorial position of the Idaho Statesman. It is an unsigned opinion expressing the consensus of the Statesman’s editorial board.
March 28, 2010
Time for new levy? Many Boiseans are
ready, again, to pay for Foothills open space
BY CYNTHIA SEWELL - cmsewell@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2010 Idaho Statesman
Rarely does a
tax increase leave people wanting more.
"For my $100,
10,000 acres have been opened to my wheels and my boots.
To me, that is priceless," said Ben Jarvis of Boise.
Jarvis is not
alone. As city leaders prepare to spend some of the last
of the $10 million from the 2001 Foothills levy, Boise's
mayor and City Council members, community leaders and
residents are talking about how to build on the levy's
success.
"The Foothills
levy is the perfect example of citizens taking matters
into their own hands to protect a vital resource for
future generations to enjoy," Boise City Councilman TJ
Thomson said. "I would absolutely 100 percent support a
second Foothills levy."
But Mayor Dave
Bieter and the council and community leaders who like the
idea of a new levy all have one big caveat: not right now.
"The economic
climate and property taxes of 2001 are very different than
the current scene," said Suki Molina, a Foothills
Conservation Advisory Committee member and Idaho
Conservation League deputy director. "When the voters of
Boise are feeling supportive, another Foothills levy would
be an excellent idea."
The Statesman
sought out opinions on a new Foothills levy from several
community leaders and in a general call to readers, and
every response but one was positive.
And the one
opinion that ran counter to the rest raised another issue
that city residents would have to decide before embarking
on a new vote: Whether the Foothills is the right place to
spend the extra tax money.
"I would rather
see that money invested in poor and disenfranchised
neighborhoods," said Martin Johncox, who does public
relations in Boise and knew as much about the original
levy as anyone - he covered the run-up to the vote in the
late 1990s as a reporter at the Statesman.
He suggests the
taxpayers of Boise work to spread the money around.
"It's time the
city turned its gaze south of the river and reinvested in
the neighborhoods that have been waiting decades for some
of the good stuff, or even just basic life-safety features
like sidewalks," he said. "At least take turns with
levies, using one for land preservation, one for
sidewalks, one for providing safe housing for trailer park
residents, and so on."
Some city
leaders said they would like the next land-preservation
levy to be a countywide initiative.
"The benefits
of protecting ,,, deer and elk herds and important open
space that abuts our sister cities are the responsibility
of all Ada County residents," Councilman David Eberle
said. "Just like the land, our residents are
interconnected; what benefits Boise benefits Eagle, and
what benefits Kuna benefits Meridian."
Another levy
also could serve as an economic development tool - to
maintain what the Valley has and many West Coast cities
don't: green spaces and a backyard full of great outdoors
activities.
"This area will
never attract new residents based on its abundance of
high-paying jobs in cutting-edge industry; rather, it will
attract people for quality of life and access to
amenities," said Blair VanderLugt of Boise.
But if there's
going to be another levy, it again needs to be
community-driven.
"I would favor
a process similar to the first, where a group of citizens
reviews the potential for a levy, the priorities for
purchases and makes a recommendation as to how to
proceed," said Council President Maryanne Jordan.
Though
then-Mayor Brent Coles called for the effort and
championed the levy, he couldn't use city resources or
money to push it. Today's leaders say that's one reason
the levy was so successful - and why taxpayers may be
willing to come back for another one: taxpayers had
control.
"Most important
was the people said 'do it.' They voted on it. They said
'tax us, this is what we want you to spend our money on,'"
Boise City Councilman Vern Bisterfeldt said. "We did what
they wanted through dealing, trading, swapping and buying.
We really amassed a large part of the Boise Front." Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428
March 22, 2010
Volunteers needed for April poop scoop in
Boise Foothills
- Idaho Statesman
Boise Trail
Dog is organizing the first poop scoop of the season on
Saturday, April 10 from 8-11 a.m.
Volunteers will
meet at the Grove parking lot, the one on the left off 8th
Street where you cross the road to go to Owl's Roost, go
uphill for Chickadee or head back toward the pond.
Volunteers are
needed to help at the information table, handing out bags,
dog treats and granola bars, and to pick up sections of
trail. In response to a proliferation of abandoned poop
bags on trails, Boise Trail Dog also is spreading the word
that there are no clean up crews on trails and dog owners
are asked to put their poop bags in the trash cans
provided at trailheads.
March 01, 2010
Letters to the
editor
-
Idaho Statesman
FOOTHILLS
Boise already
hasenough houses
I was taking a
hike with my mom and my dog Gloria recently when I saw a
sign that said land could be developed (Hillside to the
Hollow). I thought it was sad to see that houses might be
built on this land. I have been hiking on this land for
five years and I want the land to stay just how it is.
I go on hikes
in the Foothills every week with my parents, my brother
Cole, and my dog Gloria. Gloria likes to run really fast
up and down the trail and say hi to other dogs and play
with other dogs. I have seen lots of animals on my hikes,
like bunny rabbits, mountain bluebirds, a fox (just one
time), ground squirrels, beetles and deer. If houses were
built, all the animals would die because they would have
no other shelter or food. There's already enough houses in
Boise. Please don't build houses on this land so we can
keep using it, because it's fun to have a place to hike so
close to my house.
CHARLIE TAYLOR,
7 years old, Boise Idaho Statesman
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Idaho Statesman
April 03, 2008
Foothills provide close-to-home activity for pooches and people
Taking your pooch outdoors can be a lot of fun if you think about safety and other trail users
There are Labs, goldens, boxers, poodles, Alaskan malamutes, beagles, heelers — you name it — on Boise Foothills trails.Idahoans like to hike, run and mountain bike with their dogs.
It’s a dog’s world out there, and about three out of 10 trail users have dogs.
And, there are plenty of places to go because the Ridge to Rivers Trail System maintains more than 100 miles of trails in the Foothills.
That’s a lot of miles for you and your dog.
Read on for tips for enjoying your hound outdoors and for going easy on the trails.
Annie Chalfant walked along the trail behind Camels Back Park with her dog Tons.
Both were having Tons of Joy. By the way, that’s Tons’ full name.
Over on the side of Camels Back Park, Jessica Ekegren was throwing a Frisbee for Layla, her boyfriend’s dog. She just got done with a Foothills run.
“She likes to hike, swim and play Frisbee,” Ekegren said. “They’re great companions on runs.”
It’s a dog’s world in the outdoors with 95 percent of the 126 miles of Foothills trails being off-leash.
Chalfant summed it up best: “What’s a day without either — dogs and the outdoors?”
Cool dog trails
The secret of enjoying your dog in the Foothills is to get away from some of the more congested areas. Try some of these places:
- Rocky Canyon — Trails off Rocky Canyon Road. It takes a little more driving to get to the end of pavement, but it’s worth it.
Check out Shane’s Trail, Three Bears, or the 5-Mile Trail-Orchard Gulch loop.
- Table Rock — The trail system around Table Rock offers less crowds on certain days. The steep climb — 900 feet in 1.6 miles — weeds out a lot of folks. Access the trails from the Old Idaho Penitentiary or from across Warm Springs Avenue from the Warm Springs Golf Course.
- Military Reserve — Trails in the reserve can get hammered by runners and dogs not following the rules, especially in muddy conditions.
If you want to leave a light footprint, do your walking or running on Mountain Cove Road in the reserve.
One thing to remember: There is vehicle traffic on the road so keep your dog leashed or under control.
- West Foothills — The Big Springs Loop, which is located between Dry Creek Cemetery and Big Springs Boulevard. You’ll have to drive out Hill Road or Horseshoe Bend Road to get there but it has fewer people and pooches.
But, it is ideal rolling hills terrain and open country so you can keep an eye on your dogs.
- See the updated Ridge to Rivers Trail Map for details, or www.ridgetorivers.
Dog etiquette
Being considerate
- De-poop your dog in your yard before going to the trailhead. This will save you the hassle of picking up after your dog on the trail and keep trailheads cleaner.
- If your dog does do it on the trail, simply use a plastic grocery bag to pick up the mess. Bag dispensers are located at trailheads. You must carry a leash and waste bag at all times on the trails.
- Loose dogs can scare or injure other trail users. Keep your dog under control.
- If you are on the trail in an off-leash area and see mountain bikers or hikers approaching, step off trail with your dog and let other users pass.
- Keep a close eye on your dog at all times. Uncontrollable dogs also can chase wildlife, which is illegal.
- Don’t use trails if they are muddy or wet.
Requirements
- Five percent of Foothills trails are on-leash areas, with the remainder off-leash. Off-leash means that dog owners must have a leash with them at all times, and their dogs must be under voice command and no farther than 30 feet away.
- Dogs must be leashed on all trails during critical winter months from Jan. 1 to April 15.
- Failure to obey leash laws could result in a $25 fine.
- Dogs should not be allowed to dig holes along the trail or dig up vegetation and rare plants.
- See www.ridgetorivers.org for more tips on dog etiquette.
General tips
- Make sure your dog has identification in case it gets lost. It is best to have your cell phone number on the tag so you can get a call immediately in case your dog is found.
- Keep your vet’s phone number and the phone number and address of a local emergency clinic in your wallet or PDA in case the dog is injured.
- Make sure your dog is up on its shots. You’ll meet other dogs on the trail.
- Dogs have to get into shape just like people when it comes to running on trails. Don’t run your dogs too hard after a winter of being couch pooches.
- Rocky terrain can be rough on a dog’s pads, especially if the dog hasn’t run on trails.
It takes a while for a dog’s pads to roughen up with callouses. Go easy at first and keep checking your dog’s paws. You might try dog booties if your dog’s pads are tender.
- After an outing, check your dog for ticks or for any any cheatgrass, burrs or foxtails that might end up in its coat. Also, look closely in its ears, nose, between the toes and in some of those private places for cheatgrass. First-aid
- Take along some first-aid gear for your dog. The Sierra Club suggests antibiotic cream, Vet Wrap bandage tape (which sticks to itself but not hair or skin), and tweezers or multi-pliers for removing thorns or heaven forbid, porcupine quills. Bring along an old sock in case a paw is injured.
A disposable razor is handy for shaving fur from around a wound.
For more information on a dog first-aid kit to keep in your car, see www.peteducation.com.
Doggie packs
- A dog can carry its own water and first-aid kit in a doggie pack. Dogs can carry about a third of their weight. Go easy at first when using a pack. You might just fill it with a wad of newspapers to get the dog used to the pack. Dogs and water
- Trail dogs need a lot of water.
Ponds and creeks and other standing water can have bacteria that can make a dog sick.
That’s why it is best to carry water for your pooch. You can have the dog carry its own water in a doggie pack.
- It is best to have some kind of container for a dog to drink from because just pouring the water on the lawn in a park can be dangerous. There can be weed killers, insecticides or other chemical runoff on the ground.
Dog dehydration
Here are some pointers from Handi-Drink about dog dehydration:
- If a pet is dehydrated, its skin loses its elasticity.
If the skin on the neck doesn’t release back to original spot as soon as you let go, that is a sign that the pet is under-hydrated.
- Checking your pet’s gum line also can be a clue to dehydration.
If the gums look drier than normal and are a bit discolored, that is a strong indication of under-hydration.
- Excessive and sometimes uncontrollable panting can mean a dog is overheated and on the way to becoming dehydrated.
Several ounces of cool water can help bring things back to normal.
The Sierra Club suggests that if your dog is running from shady spot to shady spot, panting excessively or becoming red in the gums, stop and cool it down.
Gently pour water on the stomach and groin area to cool it down. - Keep your dog on a leash at the trailhead, in the parking lot or on the first part of the trail, even in off-leash areas. That’s where you’ll meet more hikers and dogs.
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Idaho Statesman
March 21, 2008
Five things to do with your kids during spring break
It's spring break time, and so begins the ritual of finding stuff for your children to do all week.Why not do it with them?
Here are five ways you can have fun with your kids right here in the Treasure Valley.
GET OUT THE BIKES
Been itching to get the bicycle out of the garage and get on the road again? Spring break is a perfect time.
Not only can you teach your children some simple tips on bike care and maintenance, but you can hit the road with them on a number of in-town adventures.
Whether you run errands together or hit the Greenbelt for a pleasure ride, your kids will jump at the chance to go riding somewhere outside the neighborhood.
EXPLORE THE WORLD
The Discovery Center of Idaho (131 Myrtle St., Boise, 343-9895) is one of those rare museums where your children won't get in trouble for talking or touching.
In fact, kids are encouraged to put their hands on the science center's interactive exhibits.
The center's current featured exhibit is "Mapping," which explores maps and mapmaking from the ancient times to the present.
TAKE A HIKE
Spring is officially here, and the lower Boise Foothills are mostly free of snow. On a warm, dry day, the Foothills are a great place to take the kids for an easy hike.
The Ridge to Rivers trail system, which includes the Foothills, is an extensive network of multi-use trails accessible in and around Boise. You can purchase a Ridge to Rivers map at a local outdoor or bike shop.
UNDER THE BIG TOP
If your kids were wowed by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus, they'll be in for a real treat with "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy."
Similar to the "new circus" Vegas staple Cirque du Soleil, "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" tells a narrative story through the visual artistry of aerialists, contortionists and other performers.
"Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25 and 26, at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Tickets are $29.50-$47. Call 426-1609.
LAST CHANCE TO SKI?
With the arrival of spring, ski bums are dealing with the big bummer that is the end of the ski season.
Don't call it over quite yet; there's still powder to shred at Bogus Basin, and during spring break you can even catch a bus up to the mountain.
Bogus is offering daily bus rides from Caldwell (8 a.m.), Nampa (8:15 a.m.), Meridian (8:30 a.m.) and Boise (9 a.m.) March 24-28. The cost is $7 one way and $12 round trip. See the Bogus Basin Web site, www.bogusbasin.org, for more details.
Chad Dryden: 672-6734
Idaho Statesman
March 15, 2008
P&Z votes to approve Cartwright Ranch
Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday voted 4-2 to recommend approval of Cartwright Ranch planned community in the Foothills northwest of Boise.The 584-home, 680-acre proposed development is along Cartwright Road south of Dry Creek Road adjacent to Hidden Springs planned community.
Commissioners Steve Edgar and David Hayes voted against the development.
The application now goes to the Ada County Commission. A date has not yet been set.
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:
