Riverside beach sends good signal

With residents still miffed at a missed opportunity to gain perpetual access to part of Sanders Beach, the city of Coeur d’Alene pulled a rabbit out of the hat. As part of the $100 million Mill River development annexation, the city has announced that local developers Tom Johnson and Cliff Mort will provide 1,000 feet of sandy beach along the Spokane River.

In an area known for limited access to abundant waterways, a new beach longer than three football fields at an old mill near Huetter is a huge development. Not only will it take some pressure off city beaches along the Coeur d’Alene’s waterfront – Sanders, City and North Idaho College – but it indicates city officials and downtown boosters understand the importance of beach access in a tourist area. Finally.

The commitment of Mayor Sandi Bloem and the City Council to public access was in doubt earlier this spring when they failed to insist on guaranteed access to 500 feet of Sanders Beach as part of another annexation agreement, with Hagadone Hospitality. Without that provision, beachcombers have to rely on a state arrangement with Hagadone that makes beach access part of the lease for The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s floating green. Bloem and city officials have made some amends with the unexpected news about the new riverside beach.

Parks Director Doug Eastwood, a Johnny Appleseed of sorts who produces parks on a limited budget rather than apple trees, didn’t need to be prompted when he was asked to dream about the new beach. He sees a sandy beach with day-use boat moorage so boaters can pull over to park and swim. A promenade. A picnic shelter. Parking. And maybe a concession stand.

If you don’t know what Eastwood and his talented crew can do with a relatively blank canvas, you should visit the Ramsey Park complex, where an old dump was transformed into a premier softball complex. Or the new Little League ballfield complex near Canfield Middle School. Or the new soccer complex near Skyview Elementary. Or Fort Sherman Playground in City Park. The list goes on.

On any sunny summer day, a casual observer on the north shore can see the need for additional beach footage. The north shore teems with sunbathers, swimmers, strollers, boaters, concessionaires hawking everything from snowcones to airplane rides, convention-goers, Tubbs Hill hikers, picnickers, girl watchers, boy watchers, outdoor basketball players. All drawn by majestic Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Which brings up a secondary point: You can never have enough public access to this beautiful lake and other waterways in the area.

Although city officials deserve credit for negotiating for the new beach, Mayor Bloem and the council aren’t off the hook for their handling of Sanders Beach. After the City Council voted 4-2 to annex Hagadone’s property without the beach proviso, Mayor Bloem promised the city would “work its heart out” to get more access to Sanders Beach.

Despite the extraordinary news about the new beach, she should be held to that promise.