Tubbs Hill group president passionate about protecting area

Her passion becomes evident as soon as she starts talking about one of the loves in her life — Tubbs Hill.

As the newly elected volunteer president of the Tubbs Hill Foundation Inc., Teresa Runge has goals that seem simple enough.

Her first is to increase community awareness that Tubbs Hill is available for public use.

“You do not have to be a hiker to enjoy the abundance of tranquil, breathtaking scenery and viewpoints,” Runge says. “Tubbs Hill is dedicated to the citizens of Coeur d’Alene. I encourage everyone to use and enjoy its magnificent splendor.”

Her second goal is to increase support for the Tubbs Hill Foundation. The nonprofit foundation’s mission is the preservation of the aesthetic qualities of Tubbs Hill.

For a $150 donation to the foundation, donors may have their names engraved on two rock monuments located at the Third Street Entrance and at the East Tubbs Hill Park.

“Contributions are gratefully accepted,” Runge says with a warm smile.

All donations are tax-deductible as permitted by federal law for nonprofit foundations.

Tubbs Hill is composed of 120 acres of publicly owned, largely undeveloped land. Only a few manmade elements are found in what is essentially an urban wilderness, accessible only by foot, located in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene.

The hill derives its name from Tony A. Tubbs, an immigrant from Germany and the city’s first justice of the peace. Tubbs came to this area in 1882 and was credited with building the city’s first hotel. He filed a claim which included a large portion of what is now Tubbs Hill.

Runge was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene. Her love for Tubbs Hills began when she was a child.

“I have fond memories of being on Tubbs Hill as a child with my family,” Runge says.

After leaving the area to attend college, travel the world and work, Runge returned to Coeur d’Alene in 1996, when her husband accepted a job.

“I experienced all these fabulous places and came home to rediscover that Coeur d’Alene is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Runge said.

“I hiked Tubbs Hill three or more times a week and fell in love with the hill all over again,” Runge said.

Runge’s active volunteer involvement with Tubbs Hill began four years ago when she attended a City Council meeting because she was interested in a management study that was being presented.

“I was interested in naturally preserving the hill, as much as possible,” Runge says.

The study generated a large amount of public interest. The City Council decided to create a Tubbs Hill Trail subcommittee and asked for volunteer members.

Runge volunteered her time.

Bob Eagan, subcommittee member and former president of the Tubbs Hill Foundation, asked Runge to attend a Tubbs Hill Foundation meeting.

Runge’s involvement continued when she was invited to join the board of directors in 2002.

Runge would like to remind everyone that as summer progresses and things get dry, the potential for fire on Tubbs Hill is always present. Parents need to make sure their children are not smoking, starting bonfires or setting off fireworks on the hill.

“Over the last few years, the fire department has conducted prescribed burns on the hill, substantially reducing the chance that a fire could cause severe damage, but everyone still needs to do their part to protect the hill,” Runge says.