Positive progress for Pottsville Seven

WALLACE — Just one month after issuing a challenge to their fellow Silver Valley residents, the Pottsville Seven are well on their way to achieving some of their goals.

“After I issued the challenge last month, of donated $100, we have brought in a total of $5,770,” said Bud Koski, at the most recent meeting with the Pottsville Seven, and the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in the Wallace courthouse.

The Pottsville Seven is a group looking to beautify and restore East Shoshone Park, previously known as Pottsville Park. The park is a gorgeous forested park with a tranquil stream flowing through the area.

The family-friendly site includes a large field, the Hale Fish Hatchery, and the Captain John Mullan Historic Cabin — Mullan was a military commander from the 19th century who built a wagon road, which is currently used as a hiking trail and snowmobile route.

“Whoa, that’s incredible,” said commissioner John Hanson about the amount donated.

“It is,” Koski responded. “But we still need a lot of support. There is still a lot of work to be done.”

This is an exciting development, especially after last month when the group heard some upsetting news about not receiving a grant from the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). It was instructed to the United States Forest Service that there needs to be more outreach, to try and increase the administration’s agenda of diversity, inclusion and equity. When the forest service submitted the information to Washington to be vetted, it was approved by the Chief of Staff, but rejected by the Office of the Secretary.

Members of the seven have been volunteering their own time, going up to the location and powerwashing and staining the tables, cleaning up brush, and much more.

Kjell Trusedel is continuing to work with Mike’s Speciality Welding in Wallace to build new grills and fireplaces for the kitchen locations.

The group will meet again next month, to continue discussions and updates.

Anyone who would like to donate to the project can do so at Mullan Community Foundation, P.O. Box 472 Mullan, ID 83846, with the notation Pottsville Park.

To make a reservation at the parks kitchen facilities, visit https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234437.