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Parks staff report 36 acres of hazardous-fuel treatments, S and R supporters urge continued backing
Summary
City staff reported about 36 acres of hazardous‑fuel treatment this fall funded by approximately $135,000 in state/federal grants and described upcoming projects including Tubbs Hill in 2025; a public commenter thanked the city for support of S and R, a recreation program serving people with disabilities.
Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation staff told commissioners on Nov. 18 that hazardous‑fuel reduction work this fall treated roughly 36 acres across city natural areas and private partnership land, funded with about $135,000 in state and federal grant dollars.
Nick, the urban‑forestry presenter, said the largest project was on Canfield Mountain and included hand cutting, piling and contractor pile burning; staff also used leftover funds to create a roughly 5‑acre buffer along Prairie Trail near commercial property. "We were able this fall to treat 36 acres of total natural area," Nick said, and staff emphasized the work was intended to reduce ladder fuels, thin dead ponderosa stands and improve trail and patrol visibility to reduce wildfire risk.
Nick said one of the grants was directly funded with no city in‑kind match and noted the Tubsill Foundation is contributing match funds for a future Tubbs Hill grant in 2025; Inland Forest Management will prepare prescriptions for upcoming work.
During public comment, Suzanne Knutson, identifying herself as a new board member with S and R, thanked the commission for the city's financial and operational support of the nonprofit that provides recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. "S and R means the world to our family," she said, and invited commissioners to visit programs at the group's Government Way location and the online site, snrideaho.org.
Staff updates also covered recreation operations: ice rinks are scheduled to open the week of Thanksgiving, the department will advertise for bids on passive water sports at Atlas and solicit qualifications for a free Wednesday concert series at McEwen, and staff reported four full‑time vacancies resulting from retirements and internal promotions; recruiters plan to advertise several positions in the coming weeks and in January to have new staff on board before spring seasons.
Commissioners praised the grant work and volunteer coordination and asked staff to return with plans for Tubbs Hill and other upcoming mitigation projects.
The commission's next regular meeting is Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
