Yesterday I had the pleasure of hiking Tubbs Hill with Jennifer Johnson, the President of the Tubbs Hill Foundation (THF). She wrote a wonderful My Turn column that was published in yesterday’s Press. You can read it here.
Jennifer had me hiking trails on the backside of Tubbs that I have never seen before, and she was like a walking history of the Hill. She showed me the steep slope of the north side and explained why a trail there would be so destructive. According to Jennifer, the plans for a north side trail and a new City Hall trail head are not acceptable to THF.
On the east side of Tubbs, Jennifer showed me how the wheelchair accessible trail will be leveled up without much problem. She pointed out the end of that section of the trail, culminating in a beautiful viewpoint over the lake, and she also showed me why the wheelchair trail cannot go any further without massive changes. The city’s term “pilot project” for the wheelchair accessible trail is something THF disagrees with because it implies there will be more.
We met so many nice people on the Hill during our walk! People from all over our area and as far away as Edmonton. Everyone was enjoying the trails in their natural state. Just the way I like them too.
What are your thoughts about Tubbs? The Tubbs Hill Foundation? The city’s plans?
PS–the photo is from Tubbs, but not from yesterday…it was overcast and cold!
Comment by mary — May 27, 2012 @ 2:49 pm
Here’s a comment posted on the CdA Press site under the letter from Mayor Bloem denying her intention for a north side trail.
This comment is from someone going by the screen name of “Bea”, and is dated May 26, 2012:
Comment by mary — May 27, 2012 @ 3:35 pm
The disability access to Tubbs Hill needs to be handled in a very delicate manner because, if folks oppose changes to Tubbs Hill. it will be blown out of proportion and portrayed negatively by those who want to see the area developed as a major attraction. That is exactly how they are pushing the “pilot” project (I think) – so they can gain access to bigger, better, and equal changes through the ‘first phase’ by allowing construction for the disabled. It’s a tough place to be, if you say you are not really for it or limit changes, it’s like you will be against children or something. I hope that the folks who hold this area dear to their hearts are able to save Tubbs Hill from it’s demise as well as the rest of Coeur d’Alene. Would be nice if folks could volunteer to be on these committees, that only a select few are appointed to, so they can also be included in the ‘no plan’ planning to present the city council,until,it is approved by the council who initiated the plan that really does not exist.
Comment by Stebbijo — May 27, 2012 @ 6:17 pm
It sounds as if at least a few on the Board of Directors of the Tubbs Hill Foundation have finally begun to get their heads out of their posteriors and recognize that the Mayor and City Council and their cronies have been conning them into complacency all along.
Comment by Bill — May 27, 2012 @ 7:08 pm
So, where does it end. Not EVERYTHING can meet ADA. Whats next, wilderness areas? I will geot old(er) some day. That does not mean that I should be accomodated for EVERYTHING!
Comment by concerned citizen — May 27, 2012 @ 7:53 pm
As I mentioned(toot,toot) more than a year ago, Doug Eastwood is the real “power” mayor. Her Sandiness just rents the title for her terms in office.
Comment by Ancientemplar — May 28, 2012 @ 7:42 am