The Dry Creek Area/West Boise Foothills is one of
the three priority areas identified for Foothills land preservation
prior to the passage of the $10 million Foothills Levy in
2001. Polecat Gulch Reserve was created in 2002 with the
acquisition from the Blessinger family of 120 acres of undeveloped
open space. Subsequent additions include the purchase of 40 acres
from Bluegrass LLC in 2005, 80 acres from Linda Dengler in 2005, a
360 acre Bureau of Land Management parcel acquired in 2008 via a
land exchange and 80 acres from Sterling Savings Bank in 2010 which
included a 70-acre conservation easement previously donated to the
City.
The entire Polecat Gulch Reserve totals 834 acres between
Cartwright and Collister Roads. The city has allocated a
total of $3 million in serial levy funds for property acquisition
in this area. A trailhead accessible from N. Collister is
planned for late 2013.
Polecat Gulch features eight miles of
trails and is home to mature vegetation that supports mule deer
year round and a substantial population of Aase's onion, a rare
plant found in the Boise Foothills. In 2007, a trailhead parking
lot off Cartwright Road was built with a $46,000 grant awarded by
the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation. There is
currently a small 1930s home on the property where a caretaker
lives.
Eight miles of Ridge to Rivers trails
crisscross the property providing some amazing views of the valley
and foothills. Dogs are only allowed on-leash in Polecat
Gulch Reserve due to the sensitive nature of the plants and
wildlife.
Polecat Gulch Trailhead Information-What's
Next?
The proposed trailhead concept will be presented to
the Parks & Recreation Commission on March 21, 2013 at 4
pm at Idaho IceWorld for approval. The
Commission meeting is a public meeting and the public is
welcome to provide comment regarding this project. If the
Parks & Recreation Commission approves the project then staff
will seek development funding. The tentative construction
schedule is Fall 2013.
REVISED CONCEPT