COEUR d’ALENE — There are a lot of numbers involved with the North Idaho Centennial Trail.

It’s 23 miles long. Thirty-one years old. About $3 million in annual economic impact. In the range of a half million users each year. Three U.S. presidents, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, “have their fingerprints on this trail.”

But this is a time numbers don’t come close to telling the whole story of its value.

Which is where Doug Eastwood comes in.

“It’s pretty hard to live in this area or visit in this area and not become familiar with the Centennial Trail,” said Eastwood, board chair of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation. “It has become an icon, a landmark, for our community."

Eastwood is the author of “The North Idaho Centennial Trail: The Trail That Almost Wasn’t.” He spoke briefly before about 150 people at the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s Upbeat Breakfast at The Coeur d’Alene Resort on Tuesday morning.

The scenic trail runs along Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River. It links parks, developments and neighborhoods. It's used by the Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Ironman CDA and the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon.

Summers it is busy with cyclists, runners, skaters and dog walkers. In the winter, thousands follow the trail to Higgens Point to watch bald eagles.

But it wasn’t always that way, Eastwood said. When it was proposed, many feared it would lead to litter, vandalism and decreased property values.

“Literally, the trail should not be here based on the fear and opposition that this was going to bring to the community,” Eastwood said.

Tabitha Kraack, executive director of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, said the Coeur d’Alene Marathon two weeks ago attracted 2,700 participants on a spectacular sunny day.

That was up from 1,750 the previous year.

“It couldn’t have gone any better,” she said.

The foundation’s other two main fundraising events are Coeur D’Fondo, and Ales for the Trail.

It is planning a 30th anniversary celebration in October since it couldn’t have one last year, canceled due to coronavirus restrictions. Among the activities, it will showcase 23 people who were there when the trail started or have been impacted by it.

An increasing number of people are using the trail, which extends from the Idaho/Washington state line to Higgens Point. At state line, it connects with the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which extends through Riverfront Park and on to Nine Mile Falls. 

According to a study published in 2019, the trail had 417,118 users in 2018.

“We are way, way over the numbers now,” Kraack said. “It is incredible.”

The trail, dedicated in 1990 with a groundbreaking for the first 5 miles, is showing signs of age. Kraack said the foundation is working on replacing worn sections.

“Hopefully, we’ll see that soon,” she said.

Kraack said the trail is funded by donations, memberships, sponsorships and grants.

She said becoming a member is a simple way to help keep the trail clean and beautiful.

A Friend of the Trail one-year membership is $60, while a family membership is $150, corporate is $500 and community supporter is $1,000.

Info: nictf.org