The following is and op-ed piece from the Idaho Statesman.

Let’s Work Together To Improve The Valley’s Future
April 25th, 2009
By Steve Stuebner

Valley County Pathways, a group working to create a series of public pathways between McCall and Cascade, is gaining momentum.

We recently received a property donation south of McCall along the old railroad right of way from the Whiteman family, which adds value to an existing access agreement with Idaho Power, and we’ve developed a new trailhead on the north end of the Crown Point Rail-Trail near Cascade.

It’s unfortunate that Tamarack Resort has gone into bankruptcy and has shut down until a new buyer can be found. But in my opinion, it’d be great if Valley County citizens can work on shoring up and building on the resources we have to improve our community. The recent cash gift for the Cascade Whitewater Park, and the work by energetic volunteers and the city of Cascade to make this project a reality, is a classic example.

Most of us have no control over what happens to Tamarack. But we can put our energy into projects that will add value to the community in the long-term.

Valley County Pathways is working to create a 25-mile rail-trail from Cascade to McCall, and someday we hope to develop other pathways in our master plan, including a trail around Payette Lake and Lake Cascade. Once realized, these projects will add to the vitality of the recreation scene, and lead to further economic development.

If this is something of interest to you, consider getting involved. Right now, we need some worker-bee volunteers in the following areas:

* Membership
* Our web site
* Monitoring planning and zoning meetings
* Fundraising and grant-writing

Pathways has a nine-member board of directors. Three of our longtime board members have moved on – one died of cancer, one has retired and another one is working on other interests.

In the coming year, we will work on trail-development on the railroad right of way south of McCall, building a new trail in Donnelly, holding a fund-raiser, and developing a pathways master plan for the city of Cascade.

If you have an interest in getting involved, please contact me, Steve Stuebner, Pathways President, sstuebner@cableone.net, or 208-484-0295. For more information, go to www.valleycountypathways.org.



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VC Pathways has a county-approved pathways master plan that envisions more than 100 miles of pedestrian pathways between McCall and Cascade, including the prospect of revitalizing an old railroad right of way that runs the length of Long Valley, and building trails around Payette Lake and Lake Cascade.
Why is it important for Valley County
to develop a valley-wide pathway system?

Research and experience related to existing pedestrian pathway and greenway systems across the United States indicate that pathways create multiple public benefits:

1. Create new opportunities for recreation and for people to commute to work or shopping areas without using fossil fuels.
2. Boost local economies.
3. Provide transportation links to culturally or historically valuable areas.
4. Tie together parks, schools, waterways and communities.
5. Create opportunities for people to improve physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
6. Enhance a community’s quality of life.
7. Preserve open space corridors.

The 2000 Leisure Travel and Recreation Study, performed for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, shows that hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and cross-country skiing are among the most important recreation pursuits by residents and non-residents. The 2002 Idaho Outdoor Recreation Survey shows that Idaho residents enjoy hiking and biking more than any other recreation activities. Clearly, there is strong public demand from residents and non-residents for the type of recreation opportunities that will be accessible to the public via the Valley County Pathways System.