Public Input Sought On Mission State Park

Future development and use of Old Mission State Park will be guided by a master plan being drafted by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

The public is being asked to help identify issues affecting the park. To that end, two Aug. 27 public meetings have been scheduled.

The first will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the department’s office at 2750 Kathleen Ave. in Coeur d’Alene. The second will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Broken Wheel Restaurant, 102 E. Cameron Ave. in Kellogg.

Park ranger Roger Howard describes the effort as writing a “game plan” for the park near Cataldo, the centerpiece of which is the 1852 church that is the oldest standing building in the state.

“How’s the park going to be used next year, 15, 25 years from now?” Howard asked. “Could there be a possible campground? What type of educational things? Are people happy with the interpretation we do? Do we need to do more, or back off with it? Should we expand the visitors center?”

More information about the meetings is available by calling the mission at (208) 682-3814; or Dave Okerlund or Connie Vaughn at the parks department in Boise, (208) 334-4180.