Trails and Boating in Garden City

Anita Weston, Reporter

GARDEN CITY- November 8.  Bess Huefner, City Council Member, reported that the County is willing to put $20,000 into the City’s trails.  This amount will be in kind, equipment and gravel.  It was noted that there are some very large rocks currently in the middle of the road near Payne Spring.  The County thought they could help break up those large rocks so that as gravel is added to the road, it won’t wash away as quickly and will allow for easier maintenance.  The City will maintain the lower Hodges Canyon section up to Payne Spring as well as the lower part of Garden City Canyon.  Huefner said that "this is just the starting of improvement for the trails in and around our City."

Bess Huefner and Brian House, both Garden City Council Members, requested that the County work with them in getting the Trails from Hodges Canyon to the Richardson area as well as to the Sinks.  The road up Hodges Canyon is about 6' - 8' wide.  Garden City will take care of the trail up to Payne Springs since they have to have access into there for some of the City water.  The road from there up to Richardson is about 16' and will work well for a snow cat.  The request was made to the County to contribute about $20,000 in kind.  There needs to be equipment and gravel that the County has access to and could use to help.  The Commissioners seemed to feel good about helping this way and said they would work with Garden City.  Garden City is going to make an application for a trails grant.  They will also be asking other government agencies to help and contribute what they can to get these trails available to the public on a year around basis.

 

 

Bess Huefner and Brian House, both Garden City Council Members, had requested that the County Commissioners work with them in getting the Trails from Hodges Canyon to the Richardson area as well as to the Sinks.  The road up Hodges Canyon is about 6' - 8' wide.  Garden City will take care of the trail up to Payne Springs since they have to have access into there for some of the City water.  The road from there up to Richardson is about 16' and will work well for a snow cat.  The request was made to the County to contribute about $20,000 in kind.  There needs to be equipment and gravel that the County has access to and could use to help.  The Commissioners seemed to feel good about helping this way and said they would work with Garden City.  Garden City is going to make an application for a trails grant.  They will also be asking other government agencies to help and contribute what they can to get these trails available to the public on a year around basis.

 

It was suggested that signs be made to let people know that they can drive on Garden City roads with their ATVs if licensed.

 

Bess Huefner reported that the  visitor bathrooms in the city parking lot are almost completed.  There have been problems getting the needed parts since everything must be “American Made.”  Some of the items used are not manufactured on a regular basis because they cost  much more than purchasing from other countries.  As a result, several delays can be traced to having to wait until enough orders were accumulated for the manufacture to work on those items. 

 

 

The Mayor reported that he is working with sovereign lands for a beach permit for next year.  He also noted that the invasive species is being handled so differently by Idaho and Utah, that he feels Garden City needs to take a stand and do something that will perhaps help protect the lake.  The City should require that a sticker be required from anyone launching a boat.  He assigned Andy Stokes to write an ordinance dealing with any invasive species and tie in a fine that goes along with the failure to follow the ordinance.  The sticker would cost $5 and would allow the City to make sure those who don’t have a sticker launch at one of the State Parks where their boats can be inspected.