April 30 Meeting on Boise River Park Phase II

A revised concept plan for phase II of the Boise River Park will be presented at a public meeting April 30. The plan includes new in-river features for boaters, enhanced wildlife habitat, riverbank improvements, and a new access point from the river to the Veterans’ Park pond.

This meeting, the second in a two-part series (read about the the first here), will begin at 6 p.m. April 30, at the AGC Building, 1649 W. Shoreline Drive, with a presentation by the design team from McMillen, S2o Design, and DHM Design. At the meeting, the design team will address questions raised at an earlier meeting and provide an overview of the final conceptual design report and drawings.

The concept plan outlines in-river construction and replacement of the Farmers Union Canal diversion downriver from the 36th Street pedestrian bridge and the existing River Park. The design team will present the Phase II preliminary concept plan for review and comment. Funding for the $250,000 concept design was provided by the City of Boise.

A final concept plan is expected to be completed in May. 

Construction of phase II is dependent on private fundraising led by volunteers with the Friends of Parks.  To make an online contribution to the Boise River Park, please see www.boiseriverpark.com or contact Beth Markley at beth@markley.com.

Development of the Boise River Park is tied closely to planning and permitting for the adjacent Esther Simplot Park (ESP). Construction of ESP could begin in winter 2014. Funding for Esther Simplot Park is provided by the Simplot family foundation. 

The Boise River Park opened on June 28, 2012. Located off Pleasanton Avenue and Whitewater Park Boulevard west of downtown, the park was funded by the City of Boise, the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation and private donations. The $3.6 million facility features state-of-the-art waveshapers and pneumatically-operated air bladders that inflate to elevate stainless steel flashboards.

For information about the phase II concept plan, please see parks.cityofboise.org or call (208) 608-7600.

Media contacts:

John Tensen, City Engineer, (208) 384-3900
Tom Governale, Superintendent of Parks, (208) 608-7624