Hi! Today's story is by Gabrielle Gibson. She's a writer and adventurer. Today she's telling you a bit about a plan to create pathways along Boise's canal system. Enjoy!

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you have a deep love for the Boise Greenbelt. The 25-mile path that runs beautifully through The City of Trees has a particular way of connecting its surrounding community.

Year-round, you can see the Boise Greenbelt occupied by people enjoying the outdoors while floating, biking, fishing, or even walking their furry friends to grab a beer. The Greenbelt is a source of primary connection for all of us – and has been for 50 years.

What if I were to tell you that there could be a similar route established in the near future that will connect even more of Boise and its community?

That's the goal of the Boise Pathways Master Plan.

Proposed Boise Pathways Plan

The New York Canal begins East of Boise at the Boise River Diversion Dam and stretches more than 40 miles all the way to Lake Lowell in Nampa. This canal breaks off into many different waterways and diverges into separate canals that we can see while moving through the Valley. The canal system is extensive. There are an estimated 150+ different routes that, if transformed into pathways, could help connect our community in more ways than we could have ever dreamt of.

There has been much thought and preparation around the possibility of canal pathways, and now the Boise Pathways Master Plan has begun to pave the way in many locals' minds. The plan focuses on expanding the city's non-motorized transportation options and is to be finalized by August of this year. It is supported by many community members as well as politicians, yet there are still plenty of concerned citizens. The plan's goals are grand and could have a significant outcome on all of the Valley.

At its core, the Pathways Plan revolves around connectivity. The City of Boise has created several maps and diagrams that showcase the possibilities canal pathways have to offer. As stated before, the pathways could diverge into more than 150 pedestrian routes that would connect schools, outlets, and a vast number of neighborhoods and significantly impact how individuals commute across the city.

If you visit the Boise Pathways Plan website, you can submit comments and vote on what areas and pathways you would consider developing first. You can also view an interactive map (as seen above) and submit comments about specific proposed routes.

As of right now, some canals have unpaved pathways that are already used by citizens to take their daily jog, walk their dog, or meet up with a friend for a casual stroll. These dirt paths wind through residential neighborhoods, backing farmland and give the ability to quickly connect a pedestrian from Vista to Broadway and so many other major roads in just a few minutes – and away from traffic.

Canal pathways could offer our community infinite connections. The idea to add additional routes for locals to connect to other areas of our growing Valley, while utilizing their own two feet and heartbeat sounds irresistible. However, it is in my nature to ask essential questions. I noted a few of my main concerns as well as some great benefits that I believe these new transportation routes could bring about.

Some Considerations

Safety: Personally, this would be my biggest concern. If you have ever walked along a canal during any season of the year, you know that there are risks. The water flows very quickly, and it is often said, "what goes in the canal doesn't come out of the canal," due to such strong undercurrents. With that, I begin to form several questions, such as will railings or fences line the side of the canal where water flows at high speeds? Will the canal be shut down when the dam opens in the spring? If an incident did occur and someone was in the water, heavens forbid a child, what would it take to get them out? Would the canal be lit or have someone patrolling it? The list goes on.

Privacy: The canal path sits at a very intimate height in Boise. When walking the canal, you can see clear as day into hundreds of private residences for many miles. Depending on what way you are strolling, you can see down into and over fenced backyards and through eye-level windows. You might see someone's grand backyard or straight into a stranger's living room or kitchen when you glance up. If the canal became more trafficked, would private residents continue to feel the same level of safety as they once did?

Wildlife: Boise is a hub for wildlife. The canals are home to several bird species such as hawks, doves, geese, ducks, and even quail. They all take residents in sagebrush and hatch their eggs in the trees that line that gravel path. Would natural habitats be interrupted? Would additional greenery be established to ensure the resident wildlife would still be able to flourish?

The Pro's of the Pathway

Recreation: We are so privileged to live in a city where we are all able to feel incredibly connected. The Greenbelt, for example, connects us to our favorite restaurants, bars, enables us to easily commute to work, and allows us to feel like we can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without leaving it. It is truly one of the best features Boise has to offer. Imagine an additional path that allows individuals to bike farther, run to new destinations, and enjoy even more of Boise's parks, restaurants, and astonishing sunset views. Access, access, access for all!

Health: Let's not forget why we love Boise so much. We LOVE our exercise and the ability to move our bodies, raise our heart rates, and get our steps in, all while being a skip from our front doors. We are a young and active community that embraces every season that comes our way. Ice or smoke, we are outside. So an additional 40+ miles of beautifully pathed paths to complement the influx of people sprinting to join our adventurous community isn't a bad idea.

Emissions: We all know the impact that vehicle emissions have on our planet. We have been discussing the topic for quite some time. But, we also all know that here in Boise, we love our planet. And let's face it, Boise wasn't built for this rapid growth in traffic. So, what are we going to do about it?! The canal pathways could assist in lowering our fuel emissions immensely.

What's next?

It is undeniable, Boise is growing fast. So, how do we protect what we love about this city? How do we pass along the values that we cherish so dearly? We adapt, we grow with it, and in this case, we add additional routes to continue showcasing our upbeat and active community. We have the opportunity to integrate more walking and biking paths that our community and its future generations can grow with and be as connected as ever.

Suppose the considerations above are kept up and respected –like littering, safety precautions, and respecting private property. The pros of the pathway can have a grand impact! The newly paved transportation system will give this city and its citizens far more connections and opportunities. Not to mention, helping the planet in any way at this moment is a win in my book.

The Boise Pathways Timeline is in its final stages before the closing presentations and review of its final draft. At the end of August, the timeline is said to be complete so that the following steps, such as funding, design, and other implementations, can begin. However, that does not mean it is too late to get involved.

Currently, you can participate in online outreach events and petitions such as Connect Our Canals hosted by The Sierra Club, where you can stay up to date. Several additional clubs and community members such as the Boise Bicycle Project and Idaho Conservation League are actively involved in the pathway project.

This project is still seeking the public's input and involvement when it comes to making significant decisions, and it is never too late to get involved. You can submit comments, take the survey, and stay up to date about public meetings and new happenings here.

Maybe I'll see you on canal in years to come.

Thanks for reading!

With love from Boise,

Gabrielle

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PS - here's a few upcoming events where you can learn more about the pathways project:

• 7/20 (tonight!) at Jump, Jam & Jive concert series at JUMP, you can talk to city employees about the project.
• 7/24 on the Greenbelt near Esther Simplot Park, you can submit your comments/questions.
• 7/27 at Comba Park/BUGS you can join the community discussion about pathways. Register here.
• 7/28 on the Greenbelt near Green Acres Food Truck Park, you can submit your comments/questions.

PSS – What do you think of canals being turned into pathways? Let me know --> marissa@fromboise.com

Today's story was written by Gabrielle Gibson. You can read more of her work and adventures at overlandingwithus.com