River Recreation Park

Construction is under way on the new River Recreation Park in the Boise River between Main Street and Veteran's Memorial Parkway.

A team of community volunteers known as Friends of Parks has been working with Boise Parks & Recreation on planning and fundraising for the project.

The new river park will transform the river corridor into a more natural riparian setting, improve fish habitat, stimulate economic development and provide a convenient location for water sports enthusiasts to recreate near downtown.

The River Recreation Park is being built in conjunction with the development of Esther Simplot Park. 

CONSTRUCTION PHASES

Construction of the River Recreation Park will occur in three major phases, including in-river work, design and construction of Esther Simplot Park, and planning and design for the downriver phase from the 36th Street Pedestrian Bridge.

Phase I – Boise River Recreation Park - Winter 2011 - Currently, McAlvain Construction Inc. is rebuilding the Thurman Mill Diversion Dam and widening the bank on the north side of the river to provide stability and riparian improvements as well as two parallel Greenbelt pathways and a pedestrian overlook.  This project is fully funded with support from the City of Boise, the JA and Kathryn Albertson Foundation and numerous other private donations and grants.  In the Spring of 2012, the project should be complete. View photos on Facebook!

Phase II- Esther Simplot Park Design and Construction - Summer/Fall 2012 - A new master plan has been approved for the adjacent Esther Simplot Park. Boise Parks & Recreation staff members are finalizing plans for floodplain issues and working with the Simplot family and consultants on engineering and design documents for the 55-acre site. 

Phase III – River Recreation Park downstream – 2012 - Planning and design will begin for construction of the next phase of the River Recreation Park, pending design approval of the Esther Simplot Park and availability of funds. This section of the park will be downriver from the Thurman Mill Diversion Dam and the 36^th St. Pedestrian Bridge and feature in-river drops and chutes for a total ¼ mile recreational experience in the river.

What does the Phase I entail? (Updated Jan 2012)

Construction continues on schedule for the new River Recreation Park west of downtown Boise.

The construction zone remains closed to the public while heavy equipment is used to build in-river jetties, stabilize the riverbank and construct new Greenbelt pathways and a pedestrian overlook on the north side of the Boise River.

The river, which had been diverted into Quinn’s Pond, is now flowing in its original channel.

McAlvain Construction Inc. is nearing completion of a new diversion dam and waveshaper mechanism. Construction managers are working with engineers from the Denver-based McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group testing the new technology.  When construction crews are “off duty,” the waveshaper will be positioned in such a way that the water will be flat without waves.

Wave Shaper technology -- The highlight of the $3.6 million project is two state-of-the-art waveshapers designed by Denver-based McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group. Pneumatically-operated air bladders will inflate to elevate stainless steel flashboards manufactured by Obermeyer Hydro Inc. of Fort Collins, Colo. Raising and lowering the flashboards controls upstream water levels and ensures that irrigation water from the new dam is provided consistently regardless of river level. 

At normal river flows, the waveshapers will also create an approximately 20-foot wide primary wave and a longer 25-foot secondary wave suitable for “green wave” surfing. The waveshaping technology features adjustability that will result in both wave and hole surfing features at nearly every water level throughout the year. 

Jetties -- New jetties will be constructed on both sides of the river that will provide eddy service to both waves and slow water for boaters to enter and exit the river. 

Riverbank restoration - Rock and riverbank restoration will provide spillways for flood mitigation and areas for enhanced riparian planting. A mitigation plan to replace trees removed during construction is being prepared for presentation to the Boise City Planning & Zoning Commission.

Plaza and Greenbelt Improvements - A new concrete plaza will be installed overlooking the waves. Two parallel pathways will be constructed to enhance pedestrian safety by providing separate routes for Greenbelt users and boaters.

Read more about the history behind the project here.