A new public access trail to Ponderosa State Park is closer to construction thanks to an Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund grant that will fund the purchase of a trail easement. There is currently one official entrance to the park, which is the main entrance at 1920 North Davis Avenue in McCall.
The Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council (ORFAC) was created by Idaho Governor Brad Little and the Idaho Legislature to recommend projects to expand outdoor recreation or access to it in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) are to work cooperatively to gather proposed projects submitted by applicants across the state to present for ORFAC approval. Project examples include expansion of recreational facilities like parks and trails and agreements to gain entry to new areas for public recreation.
Purchasing an easement for a public trail to Ponderosa State Park was proposed by the Payette Land Trust (PLT). A $300,000 ORFAC grant was approved so PLT can buy an easement where the trail will eventually be constructed off Lick Creek Road. The easement will be purchased from IDL. An easement purchase is appropriate in this case because the land where the trail is planned is on Idaho Endowment Land. Endowment lands are managed by IDL for the best long-term financial benefit of the endowment beneficiaries that own the lands, which include Idaho public schools. Once the easement purchase is official, PLT will work with other organizations to fundraise to build the public trail.
