CHALLIS, Idaho- In coordination with the City of Challis and its partners, the Bureau of Land Management Challis Field Office is hosting the first-ever Challis Trails Summit to actively solicit public input developing a plan for motorized and non-motorized trails around Challis. The two-day summit is free to the public and will be held in conjunction with the Challis Health Fair. The event will begin Friday, May 4, at 10 a.m. with an open house at the Challis Community Event Center, located at 411 Clinic Road. People can meet members of the Challis Trails Committee and participate in several interactive activities.
In October 2017, the National Park Service notified the City of Challis and the BLM that their joint application was selected to receive a grant from the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program to create a plan for a trail system connecting the local community to public lands. The system is intended to provide a unique experience for diverse user groups and ages, increase wellness within the community, and enhance economic conditions by providing additional tourism attractions.
“By providing a safe network of routes and trails we can set our community up for success and we are excited to work with our partners in this endeavor," said Mayor Mike Barrett.
BLM’s national recreation strategy emphasizes the importance of increasing and improving collaboration with community networks, thereby improving the socioeconomic health of those towns. One of the main tenets of the BLM Challis travel management plan is to serve the community and local businesses by providing a quality trail system from the city to public lands. Developing a comprehensive, fully vetted plan will allow the BLM to better serve its community and the American family.
“With this funding, we are one step closer to fulfilling our promise to our community," said Katy Kuhnel, outdoor recreation planner for the BLM.
More information about the project as well as information for the upcoming Challis Trail Summit is available at https://www.blm.gov/site-page/programs-recreation-recreation-activities-idaho-challis-community-trails.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
