City backs Portneuf Greenway Foundation’s new projects

It’s where the sidewalk ends, which has the grant money flowing in, but it still might not be enough to sustain the Portneuf Greenway Foundation’s new projects discussed during Thursday’s meeting with the Pocatello City Council.

During the meeting, the city agreed to give the foundation the $30,000 Blue Cross awarded as part of an effort to improve access to the complex.

Greenway project engineer Dan Harelson said the foundation is planning on building two new trails leading into the Portneuf Health Care Foundation’s upcoming wellness complex.

“Right now we have grant applications out to build one of the trails later this summer and we should have the trails completed by the time the first snow falls,” Harelson said.

The first trail will stretch from I-15 to Fairgrounds Road. Harelson said this project is estimated to cost a total of $30,000.

The second trail will run from Olympus Dr. to Satterfield and he estimates this will cost around $100,000 to complete.

Harelson said this project is a great way to allow safe access for people wanting to get out and head over to the complex without having to drive.

He also mentioned these trail projects should not interfere with access onto private lands.

And although the project seems expensive, he said the foundation plans to hold various fundraisers in order to make up the costs not covered by the grant.

“As most people know, there has been some concerns about granting access, but we are trying to build trails where we have the access while applying for grant opportunities as they come up.”