Council OKs pursuing final concept design for Euclid Ave. waterfront access

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

Sandpoint residents could have a new way to access the waterfront if City Council members vote to improve a sliver of publicly owned property stretching from the southern terminus of Euclid Avenue to the edge of the Pend Oreille River.

Councilors unanimously agreed Nov. 4 to advance conceptual design to full completion on a project creating a maintained waterfront or water access point on the approximately 7,000-square-foot site, which measures 60 feet wide and extends from the intersection of Euclid and Lakeview Boulevard to about 20 feet below the high water mark.

“Is this a park? Not necessarily,” said Planning and Community Development Director Jason Welker. “This is an existing waterfront access point that we may or may not choose to improve and assume maintenance responsibilities of.”

Sandpoint has owned the property since 1907, when it served as the right of way connecting Euclid to Riverside Drive — a street that once ran east-west along the shoreline but was submerged after Albeni Falls Dam operations began in 1953 and vacated to adjacent property owners in 1968.

The right of way then reverted to an undeveloped grassy area flanked by trees and used primarily by the South Sandpoint neighborhood residents, who added their own improvements such as a small patio and fire pit.

The Parks and Recreation Commission began exploring the possibility of formalizing the Euclid waterfront property more than a year ago, and allocated $250,000 from the Parks Capital Improvement Fund for its improvement in the 2027 budget. After seeking input from neighbors, the city contracted with Spokane-based Place Landscape Architecture in July to create three concepts, which councilors reviewed on Nov. 4.

All three include a pathway from the street leading to steps into the water, along with trash receptacles. Two concepts feature an open-air patio with bench or picnic table seating, and one includes a covered shelter.

The first concept was described as the most simplistic, while the second included a dry streambed feature to assist with stormwater runoff. The third concept, with a covered structure, drew the most pushback, with some neighbors worrying that it might encourage loitering.  

Councilors were united in preferring the simplest possible design.

“Minimalist is best. I could picture just a sign, maybe a bench on that existing platform,” said Councilor Kyle Schreiber. “If we are going to do landscaping, I imagine it’s probably best for the Parks Department if they’re native plants that don’t require any maintenance.”

It remains to be seen if the Idaho Department of Lands will allow the city to acquire the permit needed to install steps into the water. If not, the site would be limited to shore-based uses, such as a viewpoint or picnic area. 

“I believe we all need water access. A lot of us aren’t lucky enough to live on the water,” said Councilor Pam Duquette. “Whether it’s access to get in the water or not, or just sit by the water.”

“What I see is people will still enter the water unless we have something to stop them, because if you’re sitting there and you’re looking out, you’re like, ‘Oh, maybe I want to go put my feet in the water,’ and they’re going to go through that roughage or whatever is going to be there,” said Councilor Joshua Torrez.

The Nov. 4 vote was to authorize the completion of the conceptual design, with questions such as water access to be answered before the final version goes before councilors in December.

Welker emphasized that whatever happens at the property, “this wouldn’t be a destination park. This should be a water access point for primarily neighbors to enjoy.”

View the project at bit.ly/EuclidAccess.