Public spaces help bring us all together

On Saturday, April 23, I celebrated Earth Day with my kids by taking them to Pine Street Woods for their annual trail work party. In the two-hour window between soccer games, we met with dozens of other families to head out into the forest and groom the next section of trail. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day.

All ages were represented. There was food, face painting, and even a lesson on dog training for trails. I’m always looking for opportunities to present to my kids for community service. It’s important that they learn from an early age the value of giving back to the community. Last fall, we volunteered at the food bank. This time we took to the forest armed with loppers and hand-saws.

While it took some convincing to commit a Saturday afternoon to the task, it was hard to get them to leave at the end. There were plenty of friends and family making it a festive affair. Work parties like this not only satisfy the need to give back, there is real joy in working together with others to accomplish a common goal. Even better, to do it out in nature on a gorgeous day.

It seems like every time I go to Pine Street Woods, which is about monthly, there is a new section of trail to explore. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with Kaniksu Land Trust’s management of this community asset. The hard work and commitment of the Pend Oreille Pedalers continually delivers new trail and perpetual maintenance four seasons a year.

What this weekend showcased for me is the power of trails and open space to bring community together. In a time of social and political polarization, divisiveness driven by social media and loss of community cohesion, community spaces like Pine Street Woods ground us in a shared purpose and shared identity. These are our places where people can learn to share so that we all benefit. We learn to work together to care for our legacy that we leave behind for our children. Our children, working at our side, learn this valuable lesson and carry it forward for the next generation.

These valuable lessons are needed now more than ever. KLT’s success is Bonner County’s success and Idaho’s success. I’m filled with hope and inspiration as the success of the local conservation movement continues to grow in our community. The historic Pine Street sledding hill is the next addition to our collective open space inventory. Under contract to purchase by KLT, the 48 acres will add to the growing public trail system connected to Pine Street Woods and Sherwood Forest. These community assets are part of the 4,000 acres and 30 projects brought into conservation by KLT.

The movement toward conservation, public open space, trails and connectivity brings people together, teaches us to share, teaches us to care for our land and strengthens social bonds. It also fosters health and wellbeing as it gives us all greater access to the outdoors and opportunities for exercise. It also fosters economic vitality because it attracts visitors who value our investment and come here to enjoy what we’ve created. Together we are building a healthy community that will deliver prosperity for generations to come.

There will not be a Mayor’s Roundtable discussion this week due to the time demands of my Write-in Shelby Rognstad for Governor campaign.

Shelby Rognstad is the mayor of Sandpoint. He can be reached at mayor@sandpointidaho.gov.