FHSP Secures Partial Funding for ADA Accessible Trail at Harriman State Park

                                 Photo Courtesy of Linda Summers (Joe Tulpinsky & Linda Summers)

FHSP Secures Partial Funding for ADA Accessible Trail at Harriman State Park

Friends of Harriman has been awarded a Recreational Trails Grant through Idaho Parks of Recreation in the amount of $5600 that will "pave" the way to an ADA (Americans with Disablities Act) accessible trail and fishing access at Harriman State Park.  This project was inspired in part by Joe Tulpinsky, pictured above, who loved visiting Harriman daily, and from an increasing number of fishermen requesting more accessible areas to fish the world famous Henry's Fork.  Currently there is only one ADA accessible fishing access on the Henry's Fork located at the Box Canyon boat launch.

The grant will be focusing on improving the John Muir Interpretive Trail, a 3/4 mile loop from the visitor center to Sage Flat Parking area that follows the river and loops back through lodgepole and sagebrush.  Improvements include creating a solid base that complies with ADA standards and resurfacing the trail with a product called Road Oyl.  Road Oyl is a natural, flexible pavement binder emulsion formulated from pine resin and pitch in water.  It penetrates road aggregate and binds to the surface proven stronger than asphalt. Road Oyl is made from all natural ingredients and provides a clean, high bonding strength that can be used in close proximately to wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas.  The ADA fishing access will be located at the Sage Flat Parking area, a long time dream of Mr. Tulpinsky who was an avid fisherman.  Joe passed away January 21, 2013 (http://starksfuneral.com/obituary?o=703-JaPXlKXCCJ) and a memorial set up in his memory will be used to purchase a bench at the new fishing access. 

This grant is a great stepping stone for ADA access at Harriman State Park however it will not provide enough funding to complete the trail.  Friends of Harriman is seeking additional grants or donations from the public to purchase the amount of Road Oyl needed to resurface the trail. Road Oyl is $700/55 gallon drum and eleven drums are required for the 3/4 mile trail. If you are interested in contributing to this very important project you can do so by clicking the button on the left and donate via credit card and send a note to friendsofharriman@gmail.com with your contact information or you can send checks payable to Friends of Harriman State Park, P.O. Box 125, Island Park, Idaho, 83429.  A tax deductible receipt will be sent to the address you provide.  Harriman State Park also welcomes volunteers to help build the trail, those interested in volunteering can contact assistant manager Bert Mecham at 208-558-7368. A project built by the community for the community. Thanks for your support!

5th Annual Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon

*Update: We raised $373 dollars during our Skiathon Raffle.  Thank you to everyone that supported FHSP by purchasing a raffle ticket and to our sponsors, this raffle would not be possible without you!

Nature's Nook, Patagonia, Greast Harvest Bread - Idaho Falls, Free Heel and Wheel, TroutHunter, Harriman State Park, Mountain Mayhem, Shell - Last Chance, Forest Service, Buffalo Run Campground, The Book Peddler, Morning Glory Coffee, Camas Creek Soaps, Starbucks, Boondocks, Larry and Lorene Parker, Mary Mauer, Jodi Stiehl

Join Harriman State Park Februaury 23rd at 10:00am for the 5th annual Feathers 'n' Fins skiathon.  This family event is fun for all ages young and old. 7km, 10km, and 20km classic and skate divisions with a special Chariot class.  Followed by the Skiathon is the Friends of Harriman annual raffle from 2 to 4 pm at TroutHunter, 5 miles north of Harriman State Park.  Proceeds from the raffle go directly to Friends of Harriman for projects that directly benifit Harriman State Park such as the purchase of a new groomer in the 2012 season.

Raffle Tickets are 6 for $5, 10 for $12 or 24 for $20 and you do not need to be present to win. You can purchase tickets in advance at Harriman State Park or Saturday at the Skiathon or at TroutHunter afterwards. Thank you for your support!

First Buy-A-Bucks at Millionaire's Pool

The original Ranch brand

Last week four new bucks were erected at Millionaire's Pool. While the majority of the summer 2012 fence effort will continue along Highway 20, those donors who donate $1,000 will have the honor of one buck being erected and branded between Millionaire's Pool and the historic Ranch Buildings the remaining bucks will be erected and branded as needed. 

Two other "premium" locations are available, The Bing Lempke Parking Area, aka Last Chance Fishing Access, and The East Gate, aka 'The Mail Box," are available for those donors who donate $500.

More fence material has been purchased and will be erected this week,  if you are interested in assisting as a builder, branded, or both stay tuned for a schedule of work days.  If you would like to donate a buck or two click in the "Donate" button, a single buck is $100.  Please send your inscription to friendsofharriman@gmail.com and include "Google Donation" in the subject of your email. If you prefer, you may send a check payable to Friends of Harriman State Park, P.O. Box 125, Island Park, ID 83429.

Feathers 'n' Fins Next Weekend

Next Saturday February 25th, Harriman will host it 4th Annual Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon. Registration is still open. Check out the January 22 post below for more details. Following the Skiathon, Friends of Harriman will be holding our annual fund raising raffle. Lots of great prizes this year so make sure you participate.

Support Friends of Harriman

2012 Feathers ‘n’ Fins Raffle

Tickets: 1 for $1, 6 for $5, 12 for $10, 24 for $20

PRIZES:

2 Night stay in Harriman Yurt, 2 night stay & Ski Rental at TroutHunter, $150 Dining Gift Certificate to Henrys Fork Lodge, Double Queen room ($125) & $50 Dining Gift Certificate to Ponds Lodge, Nordic Ski Lesson & Water Bottles, Winter Accessories, Wine, and much much more. Thanks to all the donors to date.

Draw held at TroutHunter on February 25, 2012 at 5:00pm. Do not need to be present to win

Public Comment Needed for Proposed ADA Trail Addition

Friends of Harriman is submitting a grant on behalf of Harriman to acquire funds to surface the ¾ mile John Muir Interpretive Trail to comply with ADA standards creating a ADA accessible trail. Harriman State Park has experienced increasing demand from visitors to create additional handicap accessible areas in the park including fisherman access points. ADA access to the HSP trail system is currently limited to a 0.25 mile high traffic, straight stretch of asphalt trail between the Ranchview parking lot and the Historic Ranch buildings and does not provide handicap access to the river for fishing opportunities. By surfacing the John Muir Interpretive Trail to meet ADA standards, a handicap fishermen access would be created as well as access along a scenically stunning stretch of river. The trail leaves the Visitor Center to Sage Flat Parking, follows the Henrys Fork River and loops back to the visitor center. Click here to see map of the proposed ADA John Muir Trail. Harriman is looking for public comment to guide this process. If you would like to participate in the public comment, please post your comments here.

New Groomers Join Fleet

Thanks to a matching grant project with the IDPR's Recreational Trails Program and the Idaho Falls Nordic Ski Patrol, Harriman State Park has two new groomers. With Friends of Harriman serving as the grant administrator, Assistant Park Manager Jodi Vincent devised a grant where the Recreational Trails Program would match funds with Idaho Falls Nordic Ski Patrol allowing the Park to get these groomers on the snow quickly. "IDPRRTP and IFNSP and HSP have always had a great relationship so it was a slam dunk," said Jodi.

This type of equipment isn't cheap. The Ski Patrol match $1,119 with $4,476 from Recreational Trails Program, the result of a partnership between the Idaho Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. By acting as grant administrator, Friends of Harriman allowed the funds to be quickly put to work in the park, a stipulation of grant approval. This is a classic example of a FHSP being the fulcrum with which to leverage much needed funds into the park, enhancing the visitor experience.

The new groomers are designed by Yellowstone Track Systems and will be pulled behind a snowmobile. The Ginzugroomer is extremely light weight making it easier on the sled and driver, and it's wider track leaves room for snowshoers to appreciate the trails with out damaging the track. And the knives...think 80's TV commercials, only instead of cutting cans the blades are cutting snow. These groomers are state-of-the-art, and the skiers have already taken notice. One particularly speedy skier in red Lycra described the new grooms as "Like butter..."

2012 Feathers 'n Fins Skiathon: Feb 25th

Calling all skiers!

Harriman State Park's 4th Annual Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon is schedule to start at 11AM on February 25. Offering 7km, 10km, and 20km distances with both skate and classic divisions, the events is designed for any one interested in getting outside in the winter.

Registration is now open. $30 for Adults and $20 for anyone 16 and under. Register by February 19th and save $5. Registration forms are available at the Harriman State Park Website or you can pick one up in person at the park office and check out the current conditions.

Friends of Harriman will be holding it's annual fundraising raffle post event at TroutHunter's Last Chance Bar & Grill. Come join us for the fun. This important event for FHSP is always a blast with some fantastic prizes.