Great news from an email sent from Friends of Boise Parks…

RIVER RECREATION PARK A HIGHLIGHT OF MAYOR BIETER’S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

The Simplot family will fund construction of Esther Simplot Park and will launch the project next winter with facilities to support the adjacent Boise River Recreation Park, Boise Mayor David H. Bieter announced in his May 18 State of the City Address.

Mayor Bieter praised the Simplot family for moving forward to develop Esther Simplot Park, a 55-acre parcel along the Boise River west of Main Street. The Simplot family donated $1 million in 2003 to complete the purchase of the park. But its development had been considered a later phase after the River Recreation Park was developed and subject to additional fund raising.

The Simplots will move forward with a comprehensive master plan for Esther Simplot Park and will fund construction of the park. They will start next winter by building an access road, parking lot and restroom facilities in tandem with the River Recreation Park.

“This is one of the most significant donations in the history of the Boise parks system,” the mayor said. “And in addition to dollars injected into our local economy, it means that the redevelopment jump-start this area needs will happen that much sooner.”

Construction of Phase I of the Boise River Recreation Park will continue in the fall and is scheduled for completion spring 2012.  Phase I includes the rebuilding of the Thurman Mill diversion to include patented Wave Shaper technology.  Phase II of the park includes downstream water features and is in the planning stages pending agreements with downstream water users.

UPCOMING EVENTS TO HIGHLIGHT THE RIVER REC PARK

6/18/11, Steve Fisher Film: “Halo Effect” – Raffle proceeds to benefit the Boise River Recreation Park. The Egyptian Theater, 7:30 – 11 pm. www.egyptiantheatre.net.