Ann Morrison Park is named for Ann Daly Morrison, who was married to MK President Harry W. Morrison for 43 years. Considered the “First Lady of Construction,” Ann traveled extensively with her husband to MK projects around the world. When Ann died in 1957, Harry Morrison chose to honor her memory with a park on the banks of the Boise River. He bought the land for $1.25 million, and then instructed MK employees to build the park, which was deeded to the city on June 7, 1959.
On July 4, 2009, the city will host a series of free daytime events in the park at the east end of the fountain. The events will conclude at dusk with fireworks presented by Today's Channel 6, 107.1 K-Hits, Idaho Statesman and the City of Boise.
Daytime activities include children’s games coordinated by Boise Parks & Recreation, and a concert of patriotic and popular music by the Boise Municipal Band under the direction of Boise State music professor Marcellus Brown.
The official ceremony includes a flyover by the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th fighter squadron and a ceremony with Boise Mayor David Bieter, Jack Lemley of Lemley & Associates, retired MK engineer H. Scott Brown, Mark and Cathy Daly. Mrs. Velma Morrison will dedicate a new sculpture commissioned by the Harry W. Morrison Foundatin in honor of this historic event.
The schedule includes:
-- 3:00-5:30 p.m. - Free relay races, capture the flag, soccer and crafts coordinated by Boise Parks & Recreation, and a jumphouse provided by Jukebox Express and sponsored by Pronto Pups
-- 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Boise Municipal Band
-- 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Official ceremony
An exhibit of MK memorabilia and photos of construction of the park will be on display at the Boise Depot from noon-4 p.m. July 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 5 and 12:30-5 p.m. July 6. Admission is free.
One of Boise’s beloved riverside parks, 153-acre Ann Morrison Park features a spray fountain, Candy Cane playground, tennis courts, lighted softball diamonds, sports fields, an 18-hole disc golf course and the Old Timer’s picnic shelter. The city’s 22.5-mile Greenbelt runs through the park, which is located at 1000 Americana Blvd. near downtown Boise.
Because of the fireworks, the park is closed to vehicle access on July 4th. For parking information, see www.idahostatesman.com/fireworks.