The Boise River flows from downtown along the site of a former cement plant. Along banks littered with broken concrete and wire mesh, the river’s debris-formed play waves attract local kayakers. Nearby ponds are destinations for anglers, paddlers and swimmers. An adjacent stretch of the Boise Greenbelt provides vantage points and a commuter route to downtown.
The Campaign for River Recreation proposes to revitalize and improve this quarter-mile stretch of the Boise River and the adjacent property. The result will be an exciting, multiple-use river park in the heart of the city, providing public access to the water, improving and expanding existing riparian habitat and invigorating the economy.
A Community Partnership
The Boise Friends of the Park board has launched a campaign to build Idaho’s first river recreation park. To date, they have pledged more than $250,000 toward an estimated $6.7 million goal. The City of Boise has committed $750,000 to the project, and in the spring of 2008, the Harvey Neef family pledged $1 million toward the park, in memory of their son, Ray Neef, MD.
In February 2009, the City Department of Parks and Recreation and the Friends of the Park Board reached an historic agreement with the Thurman Mill Canal District to rebuild the diversion that forms the 36th street wave. The Thurman Mill Canal District is one of several entities with historic water rights along that section of the Boise River.
Mayor Announces budget for Boise River Park and Esther Simplot Park projects!! Click here to read an abridged version of the news release!
A conceptual drawing of the first feature planned for the 1,900 linear
feet of whitewater at the Ray Neef, MD, River Recreation Park. This structure
will replace the Thurman Mill Diversion, which creates the 36th Street
Wave, with an adjustable wall. The footings will serve a dual purpose of
securing the shoreline for the structure and proving spectator seating.
