Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho

Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Greg Moore, John Weston, Brenda Weekes, Mark Reyes, Jim Williams, and Jeff Pierson via phone. Not present: Steve Paulson.

Guests: Commissioner Art Watkins, Lisa Callen, Larry Hall Advisor for the Overlook project, Mike Tilka Advisor, Ray Sheen, Melinda Bunn, Chris Allen, Jesse Human, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes. 

Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum present.

Minutes: Brenda asked to correct the brick cost to $19 for small and $27.50 for the large size. Jim motioned to approve the Minutes from November 13, 2025, Brenda seconded, motion carried.

Introductions were made.

Treasurers Report: Account with $15,175.99. The rest is unchanged.

Bricks: Brenda shared the Bricks R Us brochure and her spreadsheet tracking donations noting the 3.6% credit card fee. The spreadsheet also includes non-brick donations.

Volunteers: Just Serve didn’t result in volunteers so Brenda, her husband and Bill picked up trash and broken glass around the Don Zuck Arbor. Brenda handed out a list of environmental perils of broken glass asking for feedback on installing a sign to share such information. Jim motioned to pursue, Brenda seconded, motion carried. Bill will put something together to review at the next meeting.

Shoshone Falls Overlook: Bidding for the First Phase grading off the approach with a 30’ drop on a 10% grade opened December 4, 2025. Low bid was from NIX Excavating for $96,845, less than the original estimate of $256,000. Two other bids were submitted, both higher than NIX’s. Larry said for the Second Phase if we use the same contractor, there is no need to rebid, but rather issue a change order. Construction can start the last week of December and is not a weather-dependent project. Larry shared the BLM said there is no eagle nesting at this time.

Board may want the Overlook to have a gate estimating a span between 24’ to 36’. Gate would allow closures at certain times of year and could be manual or electric. Board response was positive citing safety and security. Larry will pursue more information to share at next month’s meeting.

Overlook fundraising efforts include Ridley’s Market. Chobani’s large grant was awarded to the MV Children’s Museum instead of the Overlook. Larry sent an update on the Overlook to his list of contacts and suspects the Willie Family’s brick donation was a result. Mentioned some strategies to engage possible donors including a bench sponsorship (CSI welding program has built benches for other projects). Larry will bring estimates for bench cost and sponsorship prices to the January meeting.

Larry will attend Jerome Chamber’s Business After Hours event at Con Paulos Chevrolet next Wednesday, December 17th for their business raffles as an opportunity to increase awareness. Brian Craig asked Larry to present to Jerome Rotary on December 30th and Larry believes Rotary may donate. Larry added that before blasting the residents below need to be notified and the park could share the Buy a Brick brochure with them.

Brenda informed the Board the Jerome County Commissioners are fine with the engineer’s recommendation and she made the motion for the Board to recommend to the Commissioners to accept NIX Excavation’s bid for $96,845, Jim seconded, motion carried.

Tractor & Container: Bill ordered six locks for the container all keyed the same; they should arrive soon.

Mark presented designs and for the container for the Board’s review. Jim motioned to pick the single block letter design as the final, Brenda seconded, motion carried. Mark will take this to the designer to complete with the $6,000 estimate, as previously approved by the board.

Bill added that ITD has previously denied the park in placing a big sign on Highway 93 with further discussion about signs and regulations.

Website: Reminded request for new photos of the park for variety. The Jerome County IT department is not needed for specific website work.

Archery Range: John Weston shared a location that was identified for a possible archery range. The property is at the top of the Blue Lakes Grade and adjacent to a small pump building and estimates 140 acres and the archery could use 65 acres with a 3D walk through and regular standard range and parking lot. It could incorporate a nature trail along the rim as well.

Representing the Allen Family Estate, Melinda Bunn and her brother attended the meeting. They indicated the small building mentioned contains an artisan wellhead and that they own a grazing allotment for this area that they lease to Jesse Human for its use in April and May each year. They informed that this BLM property is adjacent to their private property of 53 acres that is zoned residential. Mrs. Bunn is more concerned about vandalism in a new parking area than the archery. Discussion about how grazing permit could be compatible with the archery range noting the archery features are not permanent structures and could be moved during those months. There was also discussion about installing fencing or a gate.

Further discussion about timing for the proposed BLM Shooting Range north of the interstate and Lisa informed that BLM’s process for approval is slow citing new processes, budget constraints and leader’s low tolerance for risk.

The Allens left and discussion continued with several ideas being shared including gates, security, archery clubs, scaling back the acreage, plotting the area on a map and walking it with the Allens.

Shoshone Falls Road Incidents: Cattleman Halflinger called Bill reporting two of his cows were hit by cars on Shoshone Falls Road. Bill asked for feedback on requesting the Jerome Highway District to lower the current 50 mph speed limit to 35 mph. Discussion about Open Range (liability is on the driver) and Herd District (liability is dependent on the location) and concerns about this problem.

Grants: Shared Bill and Larry are applying for grants for the Overlook project and asked for the Board to seek other grant ideas.

Rock Crawling Park: Jeff reported on the Jeeper’s Open Run held last month with 50 rigs and over 100 people attending, including some from Boise. Past runs were held in the South Hills and the Jeepers moved the event to the SRCP to showcase the park and garnering great feedback. Bill asked Jim to do a write-up for the North Side News. Jim asked if they can work on the Crawling Park in the Spring – May specifically and tied to their cleanup – with Lisa sharing that the migratory bird protections may be in effect. She recommend they request a work authorization beforehand so the BLM can check on activity.

Parking Lot next to Don Zuck Arbor: OHV group to work on this.

New Board Member: Lisa Callen is a candidate and introduced herself with extensive knowledge of the area, equestrian experience, familiarity with many locals and history of the area. She expressed enthusiasm with what the SRCP is accomplishing, and the results achieved over the years. The group agreed to bring Lisa’s name to the Commissioners for approval to serve on the SRCP Board.

Greg added that the park should go 50/50 with the Jeepers on the cost of concrete when they are ready to install the arbor.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Executive Sessions may be held pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) as needed during time such sessions are called.Note: Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the committee chairman, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to th

Snake River Canyons Park Board
Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho

Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Mark Reyes, Brenda Weekes, Jim Williams, and Jeff Pierson via phone. Not present: Steve Paulson, John Weston, and Greg Moore.

Guests: Commissioner Art Watkins, Larry Hall for the Overlook project, Camille Barigar with Jerome 20/20, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.

Bill called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m. with a quorum present.

Minutes: Jim motioned to approve the Minutes from the October 9, 2025, meeting, Mark seconded, motion carried.

Introductions were made.

Treasurers Report: $8,100 in bank left from last year’s budget. Spent $2,181 so far this year on toilet maintenance and security. The new container is in place and Bill believes its expense will be on the budget. The security provider has billed six months for last year.

Bricks: Brenda is keeping a spreadsheet of date, donation, how it was paid (if by credit card then the transaction fee will be deducted), and if a thank you card was sent. She is keeping a second spreadsheet for direct donations. Currently Bricks R Us has $600 in checks and $1,350 in credit cards, totaling $1,850. Direct payments total $255,000 including Idaho Power. Brenda’s tracking will help follow funding from the county to the park’s 501c. Discussion on Republic, Dr. Irwin, and other recognition. Cost of bricks $19 for small and $27.50 for larger. Encouraged distributing the Buy a Brick flyers.

Shoshone Falls Overlook: Larry shared a printed overlook update and photo of the location noting it will be challenging to prepare the land and may require blast and fill. Larry discussed the timeline for bids, process with the county and constraints with timing to avoid bird nesting restrictions. Currently only one week would be open for starting construction. Discussed alternate plans if unable to begin in the one-week period. Further discussion on contracts, timing, legal considerations, staking where the space is located, blasting and alternatives to blasting. Bill previously asked Civil Science to mark road boundaries. Bill reported that Lisa Cresswell with BLM will let us know dates for migratory closures with the belief that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife sets dates and that the BLM wildlife biologist is the point person.

Park leadership pursing larger grants from local companies. Larry researching Idaho Department of Commerce grants.

Tractor and Container: Storage container is placed at the disc golf course and needs more work to level. Tractor will be stored there, and a custom designed sign will mark the side of the container. Mark handed out two design ideas for sign with the board providing feedback. Mark will share feedback with designer. Bid for custom wrap is $6k.

Webpage: Cheryl Viola is updating the SRCP website and requested more photos. Several people were at the park last night taking photos of the northern lights. Discussed having status of projects on the website like “completed,” “in progress,” or “in planning.”

RV Park: Bill informed the RV park may start charging for use, estimating in six-months out. Added that any money raised must go back into the same project per BLM rules.

Shooting Range – Archery: Bill shared John’s report that several areas were assessed for an archery range and John suggested placing it at the top of Blue Lakes Grade, through a fence and adjacent to the Allen property near the small building. Access would likely need a cattle guard. Agreed for Bill to bring this to BLM for approval. John also suggested a trail from the area across IDL property heading towards the bridge. Mentioned past illegal artifact digging in that area and on the Allen property.

Bill suggested to others to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your vehicle while in the park. Rebecca asked about retrieving and properly disposing of an illegally dumped mattress/box springs she saw west of overlook area.

Grants & Volunteers: Brenda introduced a national volunteer organization www.JustServe.org and shared if projects need volunteers that the park can post as a resource. Jeff Williams suggested set two clean-up dates per year – spring and fall – and to bring awareness to the park. Discussed collaboration with United Way, schools, off roaders, climbers, etc. Jeff will gather dates and present next meeting. Brenda to post a December 6 from 9-1pm to pick up trash on 700 East Road, volunteers to contact Bill.

Rock Crawling Park: Jeff said OHV group is unable to do anything before December 15, so they are looking forward to next year and want the SRCP arbor and picnic table. Bill advised Jeff to go with through the Jerome P&Z and Milk Tilka to help set the arbor’s foundation. Plan to install at a high point in the rock crawling park. Jeff asked about future RV park location.

Equestrian Trailhead on 700 E: Mark doesn’t know Sue’s progress on this.

Signs: Bill reported that he has three signs to still place.

Toilets: Bill reported they were pumped this past week.

New Business: Mark said motorcycle group is interested in installing a single-track park west of the disc golf course. Brenda emphasized the park has a process to go through to set use and trails. Bill believes use is already approved by the BLM and Mark has invited them to attend a future meeting. Park has a packet of information and BLM and park processes for new use developments.

New Board Member: Becky Dean has resigned. Brenda will enquire with Sue if there is a horse person. Larry also mentioned someone he knows.

Other: Bill mentioned IdaGo, a service that advertises free for non-profits. Bill met an Idaho hiking guidebook author and noted our area does not have a guidebook. He mentioned interest in OHV trail guidebook. The Vineyard overpass road may be completed now.

The next meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, 11am – 1pm at Blue Lakes Country Club.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.