Star River Walk

The Land Trust is partnering with the community of Star to complete the first segment of the Star River Walk, a corridor of nature and trails along the Boise River.  Our work has included helping the community create a community vision for the river corridor and implementing the first phase. Mayor Nathan Mitchell has said, "...we have some great experts with the Land Trust and Sage Land Consultants."  

This fall a bridge was installed and the first segment of the river trail is open for business. 

Introduction/Overview from the Approved Master Plan for the Star River Walk

Citizens love the Boise River. It is clear that the Lower Boise River from Lucky Peak to the Snake River is the iconic natural feature in the Treasure Valley. With most of the 430,000 residents of the Lower Boise River Valley living with 10 minutes from the river corridor, it provides outstanding opportunity to connect people with nature close to home.

Star residents have expressed their desire to conserve the river corridor for recreation and wildlife conservation. Star’s comprehensive plan includes many elements that provide guidance about the desired future of the Boise River.

Visioning Process:

To help identify details and drive the planning process, a workshop was held with a group of citizens who represented a cross section of Star residents. The process involved gathering ideas from participants for the Star River Walk, then discussing and prioritizing them.

General Workshop Outcome:

•Walking trails along the river is the first priority. Safe and legal access is necessary for this to happen.

•River access for floating, fishing, wading and swimming is a second priority.

•Low impact use in order to preserve wildlife habitat is preferred, also with some desire for habitat enhancement and environmental interpretive signs.

•Family oriented and child-safe facilities are desired and include: benches, shady picnic spots, and possibly beach and lake recreation.

•Biking Paths, Equestrian trails and ADA trails are supported. As are parking and some additional safety measures.

•Additional ideas such as restrooms, ball fields and active use areas also made the list.

From the outcome of this workshop it appears that the Star community tends to see the river front as a place to enjoy nature with their families. They would like to see low impact development of this site that includes: safe and clear access to the river, wildlife habitat and viewing opportunities, a variety of trails, fishing opportunities and a place to access the river for floating, wading and swimming. This information was used to create the Vision and Guiding Principles for the planning of this project.

Vision Statement for Star River Walk Greenway:

The Star River Walk in the year 2039 is a place where families and friends connect with nature in the community of Star, Idaho. Fishing, hiking, riding or floating are easily enjoyed while the great blue heron and other wildlife thrive. High water events on the Boise River are better handled as a result of floodway and black cottonwood forest restoration. Students benefit from the river as an outdoor classroom. The Star River Walk is enjoyed by residents throughout the Treasure Valley and is used as economic development tool by promoting the quality of life in Star.

Guiding Principles:

•Private property rights- The Star River Walk will be implemented as legal access is
acquired along the Boise River corridor. Public access will be provided only where a
trail easement or license agreement exists or where lands are acquired or owned by a
public entity.

•Balancing wildlife needs with public access- The community values the river
and adjacent land for its natural values, including the opportunity to view wildlife,
catch fish and enjoy solitude. Strategies will be used to balance the desire for public
access with the need for undisturbed areas for wildlife.

•Improving flood carrying capacity – The floodway will be managed and improved
in a manner that restores the wetlands, side channels and riparian forest.

•Low environmental impact - A low impact and naturalized approach is desired by
the community, while making the area safe for families to access the river and ponds
for fishing or floating.

The Scope:

The planning process for the Star River Walk Master Site Plan includes two levels of analysis:

First a big picture look at the river corridor from Linder Road to Lansing Lane focuses on the Boise River as a water trail and the river access points, both existing and proposed. The big picture analysis also includes continuing the Star River Walk concept along the river as opportunities arise.

Second, a detailed plan is presented for the open space platted during the Heron River development and existing trail easements that will result in Star’s first stretch of river front greenway called the Star River Walk.