It's time to 'Toast the Trail'
A “Toast the Trail” celebration is being held Jan. 1, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., to celebrate a purchase agreement for lakefront property that will extend the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail.
(Photo courtesy FRIENDS OF THE PEND D’OREILLE BAY TRAIL)
PONDERAY — The purchase of waterfront property to connect the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail is complete.
Now it's time to celebrate.
A “Toast the Trail” celebration is being held today, Saturday, Jan. 1, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The property is just over an acre in size with 100 feet of lake frontage, and sits between current city of Ponderay waterfront property and “Black Rock,” the site of a former lead smelter.
While the purchase won't be complete until later in 2022, Friends of the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail secured easement from the Wolters family to allow the group to expand the trail and increase public access to the lake, POB Trail officials said.
The purchase is being funding by the city's new local option tax.
It's estimated the tax, which will expire in 2025, will raise about $2.5 million per year. The funds are designated for lake access and for the Field of Dreams sports complex, which is currently under design and development.
The purchase does more than just extend the trail. Its location adjacent to Black Rock will improve access for cleanup operations, POB Trail officials said.
Black Rock and the upland property are privately owned, but the city is also in discussions to purchase that property. The city already owns property on the east side of Black Rock, which also has historic mining contamination.
The city’s $800,000 EPA Brownfields grant can only be used for cleanup on publicly owned property, however. A second gate, separating the newly acquired property and Black Rock, will remain until the city owns the property and it’s safe for public use.
Until the underpass is constructed, the only legal and safe access is from the Sandpoint end of the trail. The gate is a 2-mile hike from Sandpoint’s City Beach.
Party-goers are reminded to dress appropriately, and consider bringing poles or traction devices for their shoes in the event the trail is icy. If driving to the event, those attending the celebration should plan to park at the Windbag Marina, City Beach or the Creekside Trailhead.