Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes visits the city's property on Rathdrum Mountain on Wednesday. The city is hoping to resolve access hurdles to its 557-acre site, allowing for future low-impact recreation opportunities. (Coeur d'Alene Press photo: Brian Walker)

The city of Rathdrum believes it finally has the key to opening its crown jewel -- 557 acres it owns on Rathdrum Mountain that are eyed as a recreation paradise. After at least a decade of talks with neighboring property owners and hiring a law firm for research, the city has secured documents showing that Barrett Drive, formerly named Foster Road, was accepted as a county road in 1909. Barrett leads to the city's mountain property. "The research shows that it has not been vacated or abandoned as a public road," Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes said. A public hearing before the Post Falls Highway District seeking validation will be held on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at the district office on Seltice Way between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Is this fight for public access to Rathdrum Mountain something that interests you?