Boise buys 325 acres of Foothills land from Gov. Little’s sons for $1.2 million
Update: The Boise City Council on July 21 approved the purchase of this land. The original story below was written July 13, 2020.
The city of Boise on Monday announced plans to purchase a parcel of Foothills land from a company owned by Gov. Brad Little’s sons as part of city efforts to preserve open space, according to a news release.
The land is currently owned by Highland Livestock and Land, a ranching company run by Gov. Brad Little’s sons, Adam and David Little. The city intends to purchase 325 acres from the company for $1.2 million, which would be its largest open space purchase since 2017. The land is between Seaman’s Gulch and Cartwright roads, north of Pierce Park Road.
The area is already popular with hikers thanks to trail easements secured by the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving open space. The Land Trust helped facilitate the purchase, according to the city’s news release. Currently, Cartwright Ridge trail runs through the area, and city officials said the purchase will ensure better connectivity with the Ridge to Rivers trail system.
“We’d like to thank the Little family for providing free trail access on their properties throughout the Foothills for over 25 years and working with us on this important acquisition,” said Doug Holloway, Boise Parks and Recreation director, in the news release. “This is part of a long legacy of partnership between the city and private landowners to preserve the open spaces that make Boise the beautiful place it is to call home.”
The Littles own thousands of acres in the Foothills, and several Ridge to Rivers public trails cross their land.
If approved by the Boise City Council, the purchase will be made with funds secured in 2015 by an open space levy. To date, the city has spent only about $200,000 of the $10 million levy fund.
“This purchase showcases the best of who we are and what we value as a community,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “As always, we remain dedicated to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the natural amenities we all cherish in the Foothills.”
The council will vote on the purchase during its meeting on Tuesday.
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 4:29 PM.
