Railroad spike sale to benefit parks

Councilman Ron Edinger was the first to jump up during Tuesday’s City Council meeting and whip out his wallet.

Before long the entire council was waving $20 bills.

But these politicians weren’t buying votes. They were helping the newly formed Coeur d’Alene Parks Foundation pad its bank account, which had totaled a meager $100.87. By the end of the night, the foundation had about another $100.

Not much cash for a nonprofit looking to help Coeur d’Alene buy and develop more park land.

“Here’s my $15,” Edinger said looking at the television camera that broadcasts the meetings on local cable television. “I encourage all the council members to do the same and all the people out there.”

For $15, the council members each got a 101-year old railroad spike recently pulled from City Park when the railroad tracks were removed.

The new foundation is selling 1,500 historic spikes, which have been cleaned and fitted with plaques that read “Coeur d’Alene City Park 1903-2004.” In the coming years the foundation hopes to raise lots more cash, get grants and receive donations of land that will expand recreational opportunities in the city and perhaps preserve open space.

Foundation President Steve Wetzel said the foundation’s first goal is to become better known. One of its first projects might be to help Coeur d’Alene develop the recently purchased 12 acres that adjoins Ramsey Park.

Eventually the city wants the land to become a baseball complex, which could cost about $4 million.

Lake City Development Corp., the city’s urban renewal agency, is helping the city finance the $967,000 purchase. The agency paid the sellers $467,000, which the city will pay back during the next three years.

It’s possible the Coeur d’Alene Parks Foundation could take over ownership of that property and use its money to pay off the land and help with development.

Wetzel said there have been discussions about building a baseball field that could accommodate a minor league team or provide a venue for concerts. He said the foundation could probably deal with those commercial endeavors more easily than the city.

“There are all kinds of ideas,” Wetzel said. “It just gives us some more flexibility.”

It’s also possible the foundation could get donations of open space or buy natural areas that local residents want preserved.

One example is Canfield Mountain. A local development company’s desire to build a housing development on the lower part of the mountain has sparked public outcry for some way to preserve it for public open space.

Wetzel, a local attorney, represents that development company, Quest Development. Because of the conflict of interest, Wetzel said he would excuse himself from any of the foundation’s potential dealings with Quest.

He said Quest is not currently working with the foundation. The company is re-evaluating the design of the proposed Copper Ridge development and plans to submit new plans to the city.

Coeur d’Alene Parks Director Doug Eastwood said the foundation could potentially help the city get open space by accepting land or cash donations. He said that type of purchase could take time because the foundation needs to raise money.

Eastwood said the city is still investigating how an open space preservation program could work and that many ideas are floating around, including asking city voters to pass an open space bond in February.

“We still haven’t gotten everyone together to explore those ideas,” Eastwood said.