Friends of Pathways (FoP) and Jackson Hole Community Pathways (JHCP) have entered into a new cost-share agreement intended to gauge interest and support for winter plowing of the southern section of Teton County’s Moose-Wilson Pathway.  Regular pathway plowing will occur after accumulation of four or more inches of new snow on a 2.8-mile section stretching from the Stilson parking lot at the intersection of Highway 22 north past the Aspens to the driveway just north of the C-V School.

Though it is not currently possible to plow additional pathways, this ‘test section’ was chosen for the program because of its ease of access, nearby neighborhoods with year-round residents who can use it for walking and biking, and its proximity to START Bus locations. This section will serve as an ideal location to gauge interest and demand. If the plowing program is considered successful, it may be continued in future years.

Holly Pratt, a member of the Town and County Pathways Task Force, explained the reasons for testing the new winter pathway access program.  “Plowing the southern Moose-Wilson pathway acknowledges the essential year-round connections our system continues to offer County residents. It is a priority to encourage safe connections between neighborhoods, schools, and transit connections,” she said.

Since plowing started at the beginning of December, the Teton County Pathways program has received a steady stream of feedback indicating that the program is already quite popular with residents and visitors. Pathway users have been documented regularly using the plowed section to access local services and the START bus stops at Stilson and the Aspens, as well as C-V school.

Resident Beth McIntosh indicated her support for the plowing.  “Not only is the plowed pathway a way for me to walk to services during the winter (which I do with regularity), but it also allows me to get exercise easily without getting into my car to get to a safe spot for recreation. Every time I use the path during the winter it saves AT LEAST TWO CAR TRIPS ON THE CROWDED MOOSE WILSON ROAD.   Non-motorized travel is a win-win-win situation in any community. Without the plowing of the path, there is NO safe way for those of us who live along the Moose -Wilson road to get anywhere unless we drive. It's a FANTASTIC bonus. Thank you for plowing the path! ” she said.

Pathway user Phil Round echoed those sentiments and congratulated the community for its support of the FoP/JHCP partnership.  “It is a wonderful development that we have an awareness and a system in place to help facilitate non-motorized transportation in this valley. This is important work and all who live here should take pride in these accomplishments,” he said.

For more information, or to provide input on this program, please contact Brian Schilling at Jackson Hole Community pathways, 732-8573, or Mike Welch at Friends of Pathways, 733-4534.