Officials Still Hoping For Centennial Trail Funds Key Legislator Keeps Open Mind; Locals Willing To Help

There’s still hope for money to keep up the lakeside stretch of the Centennial Trail east of Coeur d’Alene.

Local officials say they want to help.

And the co-chairman of the Legislature’s budget committee wants to find money if locals will play a role.

The state Parks and Recreation Department requested $126,000 in next year’s budget to maintain the parkway, which features a major boat launching site, docks, paved trail, exercise stations, toilets, beaches and picnic areas.

But the request was denied in the governor’s budget, leaving the project without funding.

“I really do think there has to be a way to fund something,” said Rep. Kitty Gurnsey, R-Boise, co-chairman of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

It might be easier if a legislator from North Idaho served on that key committee, she said.

But at this point, “it (parkway maintenance) is not on anybody’s recommendation.”

Kootenai County Commissioner Bob Macdonald, who oversees Centennial Trail issues for the commissioners, said, “We don’t mind cooperating with state Parks. We would ask that they contribute something to it.

“It’s going to take a person out there, I think, almost every day for a certain amount of time, picking up trash, making sure it’s kept clean. It’s really a wonderful asset for our community.”

Locals have been helping out to some extent, said Rick Cummins, north regional manager for Idaho state parks.

Volunteers have helped with cleanup days. The Eastside Highway District has loaned a sweeper.

Kootenai County Waterways has helped with work on docks. And the Sheriff’s Department has conducted extra patrols.

County Administrator Tom Taggart said that if some type of garbage pickup service is provided, the county might be able to take the trash at its landfill free of charge.

State Parks Director Yvonne Ferrell said her department saved about $35,000 out of this year’s budget by being frugal, and it could spend that money on next year’s maintenance.

She said she also is hopeful the state Transportation Department, which built the parkway on a former highway, will match that money to get the project through another year.

“We’ve got support,” Ferrell said hopefully.

Said Macdonald, “We’re perfectly willing to play on the team.”

, DataTimes