Buxton River Park
In 2016, FTR and a group of non-profit partners (the Trust for Public Land, Legacy Works Group, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, the Teton Regional Land Trust (TRLT), Teton County, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)) collectively raised $720,000 in public, private, and grant funds to purchase 80 acres adjacent to the Bates Bridge on the Teton River. This purchase secured permanent protection and the future of this popular river access for the entire community. Teton County owns the parcel, named the “Buxton River Park,” which includes a 46-acre portion under conservation easement with the TRLT. IDFG manages the public access portion, similar to other public access points on the Teton River.
The new public access site is located on the north side of the road and includes an improved boat ramp and parking configuration, a vault toilet, and informational kiosks. The site is open for day-use only. The old access on the south side of the road has been decommissioned and restored to natural vegetation. Beyond improvements for river recreation, the property is an important investment in our community, our local economy, and natural resources. The conservation easement portion will be stewarded by TRLT. FTR is currently raising funds for habitat restoration adjacent to the property.
Betsy first visited Teton Valley as a 10-year-old from Atlanta, GA, on a family trip west (station wagon and pop-up camper in tow), and knew from that point that the Tetons were amazing and the Rockies were where she wanted to be when she grew up. With a B.A. in Biology and an M.A. in Geography, she enjoyed a career in natural resource management with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service, the last 20 years in Utah and Montana. In 2022, she and her husband Dan started building their home in Tetonia, moving here in 2023, and are enjoying the outdoor joys of the Tetons and getting to know Teton Valley. She enjoys all things outdoors, particularly hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and trying to dabble in bikepacking; loves traveling although finds leaving their senior tabby to be so hard.
Rafe owns and operates Canewater Farm in Victor, Idaho. Rafe studied business at The University of Georgia and organic agriculture at the University of California Santa Cruz. Rafe brings the unique perspective of the local agricultural community to Friends of the Teton River. He is a farmer and a fisherman who views the Teton River as the lifeblood of the community. He advocates for collaboration between agricultural and recreational stakeholders. He is a proud father of two children, Rowan and Emmalou. He and his family sneak away from the farm any chance they can to camp, fish, ski, bike and explore the beautiful mountains and rivers of the area.