Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail treks forward

SANDPOINT — While the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail is making progress, there’s still plenty of work ahead.

According to organization associate Nancy Dooley, the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail has made great progress in fundraising, closing in faster on the $400,000 goal than they could have anticipated. With $295,000 currently accounted for in grants, donations and pledges, the group is feeling positive about their progress.

“We’re doing better than we expected on our fundraising timeline, so it’d be great if we could get that $105,000 in the next year or so,” Dooley said.

The money being raised will go toward purchasing the final parcel of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail. A rare piece of undeveloped lakefront property, the trail is a popular site for hiking and biking. The city of Sandpoint purchased the first two parcels in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and The Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail intend to purchase the final parcel sometime next year.

One of the primary outstanding questions regarding the trail center on the city of Ponderay’s participation in securing the third parcel. The city’s council members have expressed reservations in the past about using public funds to purchase recreational property, particularly during tight economic times. However, City Planner Erik Brubaker and Mayor Carol Kunzeman hope to secure grant funding to avoid using the taxpayers’ dime. Brubaker recently began investigating the possibility of securing a federal grant to aid the small town in that effort.

As for the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, the group has a few upcoming events and initiatives that should bring them event closer to their final goal. Members are pursuing a grant from the family foundation LOR that could add another $60,000 toward the final goal. A decision is expected next May.

The group is also using Earth Day as an appropriate springboard for a 5K Fun Run. Scheduled for 8 a.m. April 20 in Travers Park, the run’s $10 registration fee will benefit the group’s goal. Those interested can pre-register at Sandpoint West Athletic Club or Sandpoint Parks and Recreation. Registration will also be available starting 7:15 a.m. before the race.

A little farther down the road, a second Fun Run along the trail itself will cover both 5K and 10K distances. The run is scheduled for June 1 and costs $25 with kids 12 and under running for free. Individuals can register for the Fun Run right now at www.pobtrail.org. The website can also be used to place a straight-forward donation to the cause.

“That’s probably going to be our biggest event push of the year,” Dooley said.