Esther Simplot Park (Undeveloped)

Esther Simplot Park is an undeveloped 55-acre park encompassing 17 acres of ponds and 8.9 acres of riparian natural areas.

The park is located between Main Street and Veterans Parkway on the north side of the Boise River. The north boundary of the site is adjacent to 31st and Pleasanton streets; the south side borders the Boise River Greenbelt. Park Locator Map

Esther Simplot Park is being developed in conjunction with the River Recreation Park, an in-river project adjacent to the Boise River Greenbelt.

Concept plan to be discussed Dec. 1 at public meeting

A proposed plan for the Esther Simplot Community Park shows expanded ponds, and a meandering stream. Natural and paved pathways weave through grassy areas, across bridges and around islands and picnic shelters.

Boise Parks and Recreation will discuss and take comments on the proposed master plan for the soon to be developed Esther Simplot Community Park at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at Whittier Elementary School, 301 N. 29^th St.  

• Master Plan
• Circulation Plan
• Cross Section

Input from this public meeting will be used to evaluate the proposed plan and establish priorities for development.  The final master plan is expected to be presented to the Boise Parks & Recreation Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 15.

Park construction is scheduled to begin in 2012 thanks to the generosity of the Simplot family.

If you are unable to attend to submit your comments, send them to Wendy Larimore, Boise Parks and Recreation Department’s Park Development Coordinator, at wlarimore@cityofboise.org or phone 608-7636.

BACKGROUND

A $1 million gift from J.R. & Esther Simplot in January 2003 allowed the Boise Parks & Recreation Department to complete the purchase of riverfront property for the future Esther Simplot Park.

The City of Boise already owned 39 acres, a portion of which was donated by the Quinn-McEntee family. But thanks to the donation from the Simplots, the city was able to purchase the remaining 16.5 acres at the former site of the Consolidated Concrete Co.

ESTHER SIMPLOT

Esther Simplot has become synonymous with the performing arts in Boise since moving here in 1972 as the wife of industrialist J. R. Simplot.

Her untiring devotion and commitment have included co-founding the Boise Opera Company and construction in 1992 of the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy and the Academy Annex in 1996.

Esther formed an early appreciation of the arts in her home state of Wisconsin and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Indiana with a degree in music. She subsequently moved to New York City, where she performed with the Riverside Church Choir, the Canterbury Choral, and the Master Choral, and sang at Carnegie Recital Hall and the Worlds Fair.

Until his death in 2008, Esther and J.R. Simplot sponsored numerous artistic efforts. Their commitment to the arts have enriched the lives of performers and audiences alike throughout the Treasure Valley.