Edible forest park could be developed in Moscow

Roughly 4 acres of open hillside between Southview Avenue and Indian Hills Drive in Moscow, Idaho, near the Grove apartments could become a city-owned edible forest park.

Moscow Parks and Recreation Director Dwight Curtis said the city needs to receive an official proposal from Indian Hills Trading Company, which owns the land, before further action is taken.

Curtis said while IHTC has not made an official proposal to the city, the company has asked the city for its thoughts about the city acquiring the 4.09-acre hillside in exchange for allowing IHTC to develop a 1.75-acre parcel of land between Indian Hills Drive and East Palouse River Drive, which IHTC had previously dedicated for parkland.

Curtis said he thought, if the deal occurred, the 4 acres would be an ideal spot for an edible forest park. He said the Moscow Tree Commission has previously discussed planting fruit trees throughout the city, possibly along Paradise Path.

“It seemed like the perfect location to have such an edible forest,” Curtis said.

If the land is used for an edible forest park, planting fruit trees would probably be only part of the parkland development process. Curtis said Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pathways, picnic tables, benches and a shelter could be included in the park.

The edible forest park could provide activities such as apple pressing for cider and berry picking, Curtis said.

Curtis said he is not sure if or when IHTC will submit a proposal to the city. He said the city would need to figure out how it would maintain the park as well.

Curtis said he believes most residents would be supportive of the park.

“I just hope it happens,” Curtis said. “If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

He said the Moscow tree, pathways and parks and recreation commissions support the park.

Nils Peterson, Tree Commission chair, said he and the commissioners were delighted by the edible forest park idea.

“This would be a different type of experience,” Peterson said.

He said the hillside is a southwest facing slope, so it should provide a nice place for fruit trees as they would gather in plenty of sun.

Peterson said if the park came to fruition, he anticipates a variety of fruit trees and shrubs would be planted.

The park would also provide a pedestrian route from Indian Hills Drive down the hill to Southview Avenue – a route that is not currently in place, Peterson said.

If the park was developed, Peterson said he would like to see a group spearhead the tree maintenance effort at the park since he believes there would not be enough city staff to maintain the trees.