CategoriesMeeting Minutes by

Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho

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

Guests: Lisa Cresswell, David Freiberg, and Mary Ellis with the BLM, Larry Hall for the Overlook project, Jim Williams with Southern Idaho Off Road, Cheryl Viola with REDs, Camille Barigar with Jerome 20/20, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.

Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum noting four of eight board members constitutes a quorum.

Member & Guest introductions.

  1. Minutes from August 14: Correction: Paragraph 7: Remove the word “easement” and just say “Yingst Grade Improvements.” Greg motioned to approve with correction, Brenda second, motion carried.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Main Account: Spent $51,500 with additional $6k to be spent for container and delivering gravel. Security hasn’t been paid yet and Western Waste expense is an additional $51.00. Park has $8k to use before the end of the budget year ending September 2025. Greg suggested making a new sign for the Kiosk entrance into the RV Park.
  • Shoshone Falls Overlook Account: $61,400 plus Idaho Power’s contribution equals $310k available to start the project. Request for bids going out soon. County has an additional overlook account with Ken Norquist’s $500 and Commercial Creamery’s $1k, plus brick sales.
  • Container: Greg requested an invoice and is working with new buyer to purchase one with doors on both sides, and $200 includes delivery. First looking at a 20’ container and now it is a 40’ container. Greg and Mark to spread gravel to set container on and we can store tractor and lawn mower and anything else. Paint will stay at the airport storage. Bill entered cost for lock at $6k noting Mark and Ben Crouch both have ideas, but we may need two locks.
  • Overlook: Summary update with plan still on track and $310k to get started. Reminded this is not a commercial project with paved roads, but rather a primitive park and overlook. Cheryl Viola with REDS has been asked to assist SRCP with marketing and awareness.
  • Overlook Fundraising: Interest from Chobani, Ridleys, Independent Meat, and others. Low-key check presentation with Idaho Power to be scheduled in October commemorating their $250k contribution.
  • Overlook Groundbreaking: Larry recommends hosting a groundbreaking when work begins. Camille Barigar—new Director for Jerome 2020—can assist. Project team includes Commissioners Howell and Watkins, Southwick from Civil Science, engineers looking at October 1. Bid packages are pursuant to procurement standards and the bid opening will pick the top three bids with Commissioners selecting the lowest bid on or about October 20 and construction to begin November 5.
  • Overlook Prerequisites: Lisa Cresswell, BLM volunteered to contact U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to clarify what can be worked on during which times to avoid nesting birds. Jerome Highway District to be notified when blasting begins. Residents in the subdivision below will be notified. The rural fire department requested a map. No building permit is needed as there is no building, and sign permits will happen when needed. Communicate project’s primitive nature and low visibility. Relationship with the engineers is solid. Bids might not see blasting as necessary.
  • Donations: $2,500 from Republic Services (Western Waste) with timing unknown and interest in helping with facilities as they are done. Kenny Norquist donated $500. Commercial Creamery donated $1,000. Brenda requested a large donation from ICCU, and will work through the request.
  1. Bricks R Us: North Side Journal announced the project and link to donate. Times-News article may be forthcoming. Noted different media opportunities with Cheryl Viola and Camille Barigar providing input. Eight brick donations so far at $1,050 and brochure for brick donations handed out. Goal for bricks is to cover $100,000 of the total cost.
  1. Social Media: Cheryl Viola’s report on social media awareness with views on FB increasing from 400 in July to over 17k in August, and fewer views on Instagram. Clicks at 423 for the 4-slide video of Larry’s PPT presentation that focused on the project and bricks. Trying one post per day for awareness. Cheryl creating new content including off-roaders and how to donate for bricks. Reminding the narrative explains rugged terrain will stay and incorporate uses that align.
  1. Boosts: Cheryl boosted the initial video for one-week for $20. Boosted rock crawling to Boise area and Southern Utah’s rock crawling areas. Camille added that $150/month in boosts significantly added for past posts for CSI Arts. Jeff motioned to set aside $150/month to boost posts. Camille recommended doing a whole ad-set with a more strategic focus when Cheryl sees something generating more interest. Cheryl indicated $150 is a good place to start. Greg seconded the motion, unanimous approval.
  1. Signage: Placement important. Discussed outreach to Idaho Transportation Department. Jim Williams requested sign stating: “future home of off-road park.” Jim will send request to Bill to send for BLM approval.
  1. Shooting Range: David is developing the hazardous material plan and environmental assessment. Once the whole project is put together the BLM will run it up the chain for approval. Matt had suggested separating the archery from the gun range and to this John shared a map showing two areas that would be ideal for archery. Area 1a has a 100-yd range and 1b a walk-through range. Area 2 would have a bowl with walk-around. Comparing maps to locate archery and equestrian areas. John motioned to put archery range in 1a and 1b, Jeff seconded, motioned carried. May be a phased approach with 1a starting this year and 1b to follow.
  1. No Shooting Ordinance: If you hear shots call 911 and the Jerome sheriff will handle it. Ordinance 2022-3 states the discharge of anything with a barrel, so it does not apply to archery. Concerns about shooting and rock crawling in non-rock crawling areas like Don’s Arbor.
  1. IDL Trail: Discussed IDL’s proposed fee of $1300/year to lease land for a trail, noting that amount will increase. Jeff suggested the park ask for a formal response and Bill will request. Greg suggested getting community members to voice their support. Lisa suggested donating to support trail. Brenda suggested Bill ask Commissioners respond to letter to IDL. Mary asked about asking IDL for a waiver.
  1. Grants: We need to work on more grants for the park.
  1. Volunteers: Checking on Sheriff probationers to do a cleanup. Mary suggested asking the Daughters of American Revolution TF Chapter to help pick up trash.
  1. Rock Crawling Park: Saturday, September 27th is the rock crawler’s workday. They have a need for heavy equipment to help locate obstacles.
  • Trailhead, New Campground at 700 E: Bill and Brenda reaching out to Sue Williams.
  • Bylaws: Bylaws need amending. Bill asked for feedback on three new members each year rotating in 4-year terms. Discussed advisor status, clarifying section 4, proxy voting, board absences, excused absences, emergency meeting requirements, and referencing Idaho open meeting laws. Bill will work on re-draft and bring to the board.
  • Fenceline Road: John suggested putting in a road along the fence line to Don’s Arbor to establish it for future use with board consensus.

Next meeting October 13, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Blue Lakes Country Club.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.