Have You Seen What's Happening on the Hill?

If you've driven by the Sled Hill lately, you've probably noticed something is happening.

There are excavators, dump trucks, stacks of rock, and crews hard at work. The landscape looks a little different every week. For some, it may be hard to imagine why this is happening.

But through it all, one thing has remained constant: the Sled Hill is still open.

Every improvement taking place on this property comes down to one thing - access. .

Few people understand that better than Shaun and his crew from SM Earthworks.

Originally hired to improve the entrance road, parking area, drainage, and other infrastructure projects, Shaun has become much more than a contractor. He has become a steward of the project itself.

"Shaun's crew has been so personable with the public," said KLT Executive Director Katie Cox. "He recognizes the impact of this project and views it as a place for his community."

Visitors regularly stop to ask questions about the work, and Shaun is always willing to explain what is happening. He takes pride in keeping the worksite tidy and welcoming, understanding that this isn't just another construction project. This is a place that belongs to the community.

While major improvement projects can easily grow beyond their budgets, Shaun has also worked closely with KLT to ensure every dollar stretches as far as possible.

"There is no wiggle room when a project is funded by grant dollars," Cox explained. "He's been so careful to be fiscally responsible with what he recommends and does on the job."

That spirit of stewardship feels especially fitting because caring for this place has always been a community effort.

Long before it was known as the Sled Hill, this property served as a gathering place for local families. It was the community ski hill prior to Schweitzer’s opening in 1963. Volunteers operated a tow rope, and a generation of local residents learned to ski right here.

Later, the Weisz family continued that tradition by opening their property to the public for winter sledding. Countless North Idaho childhood memories were made on this hillside. When advancing age eventually required the family to close the property to public use, many feared the tradition had come to an end.

Instead, the community came together to save it.

Through the generosity of hundreds of supporters, Kaniksu Land Trust was able to purchase the 48-acre homestead parcel in 2024, preserving public access and ensuring that future generations could continue creating memories here.

Since then, the community has continued shaping the future of the property.

The Sled Hill Master Plan was developed through extensive community engagement and reflects four priorities identified by local residents: preservation, forest health, education, and recreation. Today, support from organizations like the Outdoor Recreation Facilities Advisory Committee (ORFAC), Athletic Brewing, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's Quality of Life program through the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAL) is helping bring that vision to life.

"The Sled Hill is the front door to Pine Street Woods," said KLT Conservation Director Regan Plumb. "This work is making it easier for people to know where to park, to enjoy the pond, and to experience the various aspects of this property. It's making the Sled Hill a more welcoming as a publicly accessible place."

The changes are already visible.

The former workshop has been transformed into the Sled Barn, a gathering place for Kaniksu Folk School classes, educational programs, and community events. The old pole building now houses Kaniksu Lumber, where trees removed during forest health projects are milled into locally sourced lumber available for community projects with a portable mill co-owned with Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District.

New trails like Big Buck, Chickadee, and Tea Kettle have quickly become favorites among hikers and mountain bikers.

The current phase of work continues that momentum. A new trail around the pond will make one of the property's most beloved features for swimming, fishing, and ice-skating easier to explore. A beautiful rock wall currently under construction will soon be planted with native species from Aster Garden Center, creating a living demonstration garden that helps visitors understand the importance of native plants and pollinators.

Every project serves the same purpose: helping more people experience this place.

For generations, this hill has been a place where people gathered, played, learned, explored, and connected with the outdoors. The work happening today ensures that future generations will have the same opportunity.

Because access isn't just about trails, parking lots, or bridges.

It's about creating opportunities for people to build their own connection to the land, to each other, and to the community.