On a crisp autumn afternoon a handful of friends, families and members of the SheJumps team gathered together to celebrate an impromptu trail dedication ceremony at the foothills of Boise, Idaho.
Earlier this year SheJump supporters AnnMarie and husband Zeke Johnson donated a portion of their private land to the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley to serve as a public access point to the Hillside to the Hollow Reserve. With two young daughters that participate in SheJumps events in Idaho, they named it the SheJumps Connector Trail.
“We have been fortunate enough to be in a position to contribute in a small way to the connectivity of trail systems and increased trail access from neighborhoods in Boise,” AnnMarie said in the dedication speech. “Given that SheJumps is an organization that is dedicated to connecting women and girls to the outdoors, it was a great segway to name a connector trail after the organization in order to promote curiosity and interest in what SheJumps does for communities!”
The organization Land Trust of the Treasure Valley works to conserve open spaces and provide public trail access in Idaho and helps manage Hillside to the Hollow Reserve, a 319 acre land located at the heart of Boise. The trails are accessible and free for all. “Naming a new trail for an organization like SheJumps is a great opportunity to lift up both organizations,” said Hollie Conde, Land Trust Outreach Coordinator. “Trail users learn how the Land Trust gained a new public access point and how SheJumps gets women and girls outside. It's a win-win."
The timing of the trail dedication was serendipitous–SheJumps had just finished their 2nd annual National Team Summit in Boise. Executive Director Claire Smallwood was invited to say a few words at the trailhead. “No one is born knowing how to climb Mt. Everest, everyone has to start somewhere and that journey always begins on the local trails,” she said. “As an organization, we have a vision to build a bridge to the outdoors and this trail represents that belief in connection. We are honored to be a part of the Boise community in this way.”