Star wants to use a $20,000 grant from the Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation to begin clearing and grading a path at the junction of South Star Road and South Main Street that will head east to the Heron River subdivision. The Star River Walk will be a 1.25-mile nature path that will travel along the north bank of the Boise River.

Star has purchased 1.8 acres where Star Road and Main Street meet to provide parking and boating access to the river.

Mayor Nate Mitchell said the project will be a "quality of life asset" for the city.

"It will also enhance the use of the river, with the least environmental impact," he said, adding that fences will protect heron nesting sites in the area.

The path eventually will be part of the Boise River Trails Coalition's plan for a 63-mile system of connecting trails stretching from Lucky Peak Dam to the Snake River. The coalition is a collection of residents, non-profit organizations and county and city officials. The network of trails would connect nine Treasure Valley cities: Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Meridian, Star, Middleton, Caldwell, Notus and Parma.

The $20,000 grant was made to the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley, a non-profit group that works to preserve open space in the Valley. The Land Trust is consulting with Star on the nature corridor. The cost of the first 1.25-mile stretch is expected to approach $50,000, according to Star Mayor Nate Mitchell.

"We're still pursuing other grants and private donations," Mitchell said.

Coalition Co-chairman John Caywood said he expects the paths eventually will evolve from walking paths to accommodate cycling routes and water trails on the river for paddlers, river floaters and other small watercraft.

Although the model for each city's path would be the Boise Greenbelt, initially each community's path would typically begin as an unpaved nature corridor similar to Star's, Caywood said.

"Each city is going to build it the way they want," Caywood said. "But as development comes, maybe the pathways are graveled, and maybe later paved. Or if the city's plan is for its residents to travel on the pathway to work, it might pave it from the get-go."

He said each city's pathway will breed community spirit, help reduce vehicle emissions and promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging people to get out of their cars.

"You know what they say: If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise," Caywood said.

Supporters acknowledge that under the best of economic conditions, finishing the trail system will take years. Plans for a foot and bike trail spanning the Valley have been in the works for decades. Work on Boise's Greenbelt began in the 1960s.

Even so, Star Planning and Zoning Administrator Mary Shaw Taylor said she is preparing for an economic upturn by drafting an ordinance that would require any development around the Star River Walk to extend the path farther eastward and connect surrounding communities to each other.

"This is going to change the face of the city," Taylor said.

Eagle's comprehensive plan already contains a provision that mandates that any development west of Ballantyne on the south side of Idaho 44 include an extension of the Greenbelt, said Eagle Director of Public Works Michael Eicheita.

The Eagle Greenbelt would first have to go south from Idaho 44 and Ballantyne toward Eagle Island State Park, where it would meet and follow the Boise River west. But that may not happen soon.

"There was a development planned for the south side of Highway 44, but not anymore," he said. "But you never know. If the economy gets going again, and people start building ... ."

Caywood said the coalition's plan is attracting both state and private support, including:

® A $120,000 grant from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for a trailhead consisting of parking, signs and development near the Idaho 21 Boise River bridge leading to Idaho City.

® A potential trail easement on Simplot Co. land near the trailhead on Idaho 21, along with an $80,000 donation from the company for historical education and 13 acres.

Joe Estrella: 377-6465