A gravel pathway along South Samson Trail will soon be extended about a mile further south.
On Wednesday, Valley County Commissioners awarded a $374,900 contract to build a new section of pathway from Elo Road to Pearson Lane for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The new section of pathway will connect to a one-mile section built last year between Deinhard Lane and Elo Road. It will have a packed gravel surface that is about seven feet wide, with a stormwater drainage swale separating it from Samson Trail.
Most of the work is expected to be complete this fall, Valley County Recreation Director Dave Bingaman said.
Funding shortfall
However, Bingaman warned that the county does not currently have enough money to cover the entirety of the work, which will be completed by Coalesce Construction of McCall.
“We’ll go as far as we can go this year with the money that we have available,” he said.
Bingaman noted a crosswalk about two-thirds of the way to Pearson Lane that could provide a good stopping point for this year’s work. He is optimistic that the remainder of the path could be completed next year.
The county currently has about $251,200 for the work and is working to secure additional grant funding.
Saturday fundraiser
Valley County Pathways could also help close the funding gap, President Steve Stuebner said.
The group is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday in McCall at Depot Park from 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 or at the event for $25.
“We’re fundraising to raise money to help cover the construction costs of Samson Trail Phase Two, and more new trails in the future,” Stuebner said.
Four bands will play live music from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., while food and refreshments will be provided by Crusty’s Pizza, Bistro 45, Salmon River Brewery, and McCall Brewing Company.
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The 2.5-mile route from Pearson Lane to Deinhard Lane was among the highest priority projects identified by a 2023 master plan for a countywide trail system. The completed pathway will provide a safer route for students to walk and bike to and from Payette Lakes Middle School and Barbara Morgan Elementary School.
Upcoming pathway projects
The next phase of work could extend the Samson Trail pathway by about 2.5 miles to link it with Rogers Lane through the Carefree Subdivision, according to the master plan.
Other priority projects include a greenbelt along West Mountain Road near Tamarack Resort, a 10-mile pathway linking Lake Fork and Donnelly, and a pedestrian pathway on the east side of Payette Lake. Timing for those projects is dependent on funding.
Valley County Pathways currently helps manage about eight miles of public trails. Eventually, it hopes to develop a countywide trail system and connect it to New Meadows and the Weiser River Trail.
The volunteer group’s goal is to “connect our communities and link to state parks, Tamarack Resort, Brundage Mountain, Jug Mountain Ranch, and nearby hot springs with a valley-wide trail system.”
