Update from Link Jackson
The city of Boise and the irrigators that have rights to the Thurman Mill diversion have inked a deal. This allows the first of the park play features to be built this fall. The first feature will be an inflatable (bladder) dam combined with a wave shaper. The wave shaper will be spectacular in capability. I have viewed a working model of it and the range of wave shapes it can produce is remarkable. A public rally will be held soon at the site with major public announcement by the Mayor. This will also kick off the formal public fund raising campaign. Prior fund raising has been private and focused on large doners. To date the park has received $1.3 million in private donations and $750,000 from the city of Boise. Construction is scheduled for the fall and should include the dam, wave shaper, observation areas, alternate bike path to allow for a kayaker walking path next to the river, bathroom groups, parking, roads and misc. improvements. The blanace of the park will be constructed later once funding has been secured and the adjacent Esther Simplot park has been fully designed and scheduled for construction.

What: Rally for River Recreation
Where: Quinn’s Pond, at the end of Pleasanton Avenue, between Idaho River Sports and the Greenbelt
When: 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, June 11
For what we hope is the first annual kickoff to the paddling season on the Boise River, the City of Boise and the Friends of Parks is calling for as many paddlers as possible to show their support by participaing in a photo shoot in Quinn’s Pond on Thursday, June 11, at 6 pm.

The photo shoot will be followed by a short update from Boise City Mayor Dave Bieter on the status of the Ray Neef, MD, River Recreation Park and some exciting announcements. While some details are still being coordinated, the group is contacting food vendors, entertainers and retailers to support the event, set up displays and participate.

Parking access will be available from 31st Street and Regan (two blocks North of the Idaho River Sports parking lot), and the announcements will take place from the dock furthest from the Boise River in Quinn’s Pond.

Idaho River Sports is donating raffle prizes for those who participate in the photo shoot.

For more information: beth@markley.com, 208-484-4424.

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