Does southeast Idaho want a new park?
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Governor Kempthorne has proposed several good things for this session, and one is especially capturing attention in our neck of the woods. In addition to improving the existing state parks (which are apparently under maintained), Kempthorne wants a new state park created somewhere in southeast Idaho. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss and debate the merits of this proposal.
What are the effects of creating a state park? On one hand, one would think tourism would increase since there is another area promoted by the state. The area would (hopefully) be better maintained and regulated with state oversight.
On the other hand, the state has not done the best job in maintaining the parks they have now. Should we give them leash to wade into a bigger mess when they have not demonstrated they can even handle the current state parks? This would be like trusting your car keys to a drop-out, drug-addicted, check-forging relative. Surrrrre. Prove yourself responsible with your current business before asking for bigger things.
Also, the effect of creating a state park likely means the areas we used to visit freely and unrestricted would require fees to enter and limitations on what we can do there. I recently visited Blacktail for the first time in over ten years. I recalled the great times I had with friends free-hand rock climbing in the mini-canyons that overlook Ririe Reservoir. I was confronted with a fee-pay station that prevented me from accessing the areas I used to roam freely.
Do we really want to pay to enter areas we freely roam now? Don’t those fees go to the state, and not the local communities? Apparently the fees we pay are not getting reinvested into the maintenance of the parks from which they were collected.
Do we even want a state park right now in our area? Do we trust the state to take care of it properly? What are some positive aspects of a state park that I have completely missed? Finally, where are some areas we want to see a park created?
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Comments
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0 
0 Yeah, I’ve read about their decision for Rising River Park. I like the name and the location being fairly near to Idaho Falls and I like the description of a nature island.
The city-connecting bike path is sorely overdue.
This will be a winner.
Idaho Falls should plan on where the bike path travels through our city and plan for a “beltway bikepath” going around the city.
Our city has a beautiful bikepath around the greenbelt, but riding anywhere else in this city is not nearly as easy or nice and is sometimes hostile.
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0 0 From what I’ve read in the PR, it appears eastern Idaho is getting the funding shaft this legislative season! Otter has apparently proposed spending projects all over the state except here, and he noticeably did not mention funding the new rising river state park.
Is the idea doomed to a historical footnote?
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0 0 Ooop, just this morning the PR reports that yes, Otter has put it on the backburner for at least this year. He said he ‘wasn’t fully briefed’ on the park before the election (I don’t get that).
They already have almost $1 million set aside for it (as I understand), and only need $2-4 million more to purchase and develop the park.
This is disappointing news for southeast Idaho, given that Otter is apparently doling out all other special projects and funds to other parts of the state this legislative season.
If the park doesn’t happen this year, is it likely to never happen again?
Bart Davis or Dennis Lake said if eastern Idahoans want this park, they should contact their legislators.
Does anyone want this park to happen?
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0 0 It looks like the State of Ada will get the most attention again while the rest of Idaho goes with very little. It is a shame.
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0 0 Isn’t there a report that demonstrates how much money each county sends into Boise vs. how much each county gets back?
It would be interesting to see how much eastern Idaho is collectively sending in vs. what we are getting back. John’s usually awesome at finding these things.
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0 0 I thought this east Idaho park idea was gone and buried since Otter didn’t support it. Lucky for us the governor and legislature might be butting heads.
The PR reported $2.9 million dollars was allotted by the powerful JFAC committee. Bart Davis and Mel Richardson were in favor of the park, but Janice Mcgeachin voted against it. She represents us?
The money will only purchase land. Actual park facilities will likely be funded in future years, which makes the park more affordable over the long run.
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0 0 I’d love to see a bike path from Blackfoot to Idaho Falls!
That’d be awesome! There’s nowhere to ride around here except for the greenbelt and that gets old real quick. I hate having to throw my bike in the truck and DRIVE somewhere to ride my bike! That’s ludacris! (and I don’t mean the rapper)
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whew, slow day, time to all start commenting again!
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Vote:
Rising River State Park. Has a bit of a ring to it doesn’t it? Although this would not have been my choice, from what I have heard about the site it will be a nice island of nature in the middle of the Snake River Plain.
The best part of it all is the plan that will link Blackfoot, Firth, Shelly, and eventually Idaho Falls with a bike path. Maybe someday there will be a path from Poky to Sugar City. Wouldn’t that be crazy!