Parking Area Improvements Prompt Temporary Closure to Cougar Bay Recreation Site
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Coeur d’Alene, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will finalize a parking lot improvement project at the John C. Pointer Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary trailhead near Cougar Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene the week of October 3, 2016.
In order to accommodate construction and paving equipment, the parking area will be temporarily closed to all vehicle traffic beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, October 3 through Thursday, October 6 at 6 p.m. The parking area also provides access to a loop trail system managed by The Nature Conservancy.
Last fall, the existing, narrow parking lot was widened and hardened. As a result, fifteen designated parking spaces, an ADA accessible parking area, and a safer turn-around now exist for users. The final enhancement for the site is paving which will occur next week. BCR Land Services, Inc., a local north Idaho contractor, will be conducting the work.
The BLM suggests several alternate hiking areas during the closure. Mineral Ridge Scenic Trail and the Blue Creek Bay Area are located on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene and offer close-in hiking opportunities. Maps and additional information can be found on our website.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.