The City of Boise is committed to providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore, recreate and play. From our AdVenture programming to playgrounds with accessible features and trails built with people who use mobility devices in mind, we have a wide variety of offerings for the entire family.
Accessible Recreation
Opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore, recreate and play.
Adventure Program
Boise’s AdVenture Program (short for Adaptive Adventures) offers recreational activities, wilderness excursions, fitness programs, sports and social activities specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, along with their families and friends. The AdVenture Program promotes self-confidence, wellness and physical fitness for participants of all ages, leading to a more independent lifestyle.
New classes, camps and activities are offered by season: Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall, and are listed in the Activity Guide.
Playgrounds with Accessible Equipment
The City of Boise is committed to providing places for children of all abilities to learn, play and grow. We are improving playgrounds across Boise to make them more accessible for children and families.
Playgrounds with accessible features mean more than just ramps to play structures. Amenities include climbing walls and finger mazes to promote tactile play, bells for auditory stimulation, inclusive motion spinners to promote social play, and inclusive/adaptive swings. Some zip lines have also been modified to meet the needs of children of all abilities.
Currently, 20 playgrounds throughout the City of Boise offer bonded rubber surface material for safety and mobility device use. Of those 19 sites, 11 playgrounds have been built with accessibility in mind. Some parks include inclusive swings, equipment with transfer stations and other ground-level tactile experiences. Bowden Park on the Boise Bench is fully accessible with ramps and slides designed for children of all abilities, including those who use mobility devices.
Visit the individual park page below for information about specific accessible and inclusive amenities on site.
Park playgrounds with accessible features and amenities, including bonded rubber surfacing material for mobility device and wheelchair users:
- Bowden Park
- Bowler Park
- Cassia Park
- Cottonwood Park
- Franklin Park
- Hobble Creek Park
- Molenaar Park
- Morris Hill Park
- Phillippi Park
- Pine Grove Park
- Primrose Park
Park playgrounds with bonded rubber surfacing material for mobility device and wheelchair users:
Parks with Inclusive Playground Communication Boards
The new sign encourages inclusive play for all members of our community and is an effective way to allow children of all abilities to communicate and promote public awareness of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Communication boards at playgrounds have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many of the symbols and images are standardized across the country for ease of use and understanding, while other graphics on the board are personalized and tailored to the specific playground equipment and park site where the board is located.
The communication board includes custom graphics for each park, as well as braille and both English and Spanish.
BOWDEN COMMUNICATION BOARD (Downloadable PDF)
Primrose Park Communication Board (Downloadable PDF)
Parks with communication boards:
Accessible Playground Video Tours
Boise Parks and Recreation is committed to providing accessible and inclusive experiences for users of all abilities.
Accessible Paths and Features
Many of Boise’s parks have paved pathways to explore, accessible amenities for recreation and ADA bathrooms.
Visit Kathryn Albertson Park to experience the beauty of the changing seasons from paved pathways and accessible boardwalks overlooking the park’s ponds. ADA parking and ADA restroom is available in the lot off Americana Boulevard. This is a natural park and out of respect for wildlife, dogs must remain on leash and bicycles are not allowed.
Esther Simplot Park features a variety of pathways surrounding this unique water complex. There is also a wheelchair accessible beach on site. An ADA restroom is located in both restrooms on site. Please note, dogs are not allowed on the beaches or in the water for water quality reasons.
The City of Boise manages 25 miles of the Boise River Greenbelt along the north and south sides of the Boise River. This paved pathway is 12 feet wide and can be accessed from parking lots at Willow Lane Athletic Complex, Veterans Memorial Park, Esther Simplot Park, Idaho Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, Shoreline Park, Ann Morrison Park, Julia Davis Park, Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park, Warm Springs Golf Course, Baggley Park, Marianne Williams Park, and the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Each location has ADA parking spots.
Cherie Buckner-Webb Park features a paved seating area, wheelchair accessible tables and pathway access for people with mobility devices or wheelchairs to view new interactive artwork “Gentle Breeze” (2021) by Matthew Mazzotta.
Accessible Park Shelters
Boise parks offer a variety of shelter options for family gatherings and events. Size and capacity varies by location. Here are some examples:
- Esther Simplot Park Central Lawn Pavilion (500 capacity)
- 9 ADA accessible parking spots in park. 2 ADA accessible parking spots in close proximity of the pavilion.
- An ADA restroom is located in both restrooms on-site.
- Pathway access to shelters and restrooms.
- Accessible amenities: covered shelter, drinking fountain, electric power and picnic tables.
- Veterans Memorial Shelter (200 capacity)
- 7 ADA accessible parking spots. All of these spots are not in close proximity of the shelter but there are paths available from parking lot to shelter (Approximately 450 feet from nearest parking lot to shelter).
- ADA restrooms on-site.
- Pathway access to shelters and restrooms.
- Accessible amenities: covered shelter, electrical power and picnic tables.
- Borah Shelter (50 capacity)
- 3 ADA accessible parking spots. All of these spots are not in close proximity of the shelter but there are paths available from parking lot to shelter (Approximately 450 feet from nearest parking lot to shelter).
- ADA restrooms on-site.
- Pathway access to shelters and restrooms.
- Accessible amenities: covered shelter, drinking fountain, outdoor grill and picnic tables.
Looking to reserve a park shelter or facility for your next gathering? Visit the Parks and Recreation Department’s reservations web page to learn more. Reservations are accepted April 15 through October 15 each year.
For specific recommendations, please call (208) 608-7600.
Accessible Sport Courts
- Ann Morrison Park (2 adult tennis courts, 4 youth tennis courts) (55 feet from nearest parking lot to courts)
- Boise Hills Park (1 tennis court, 1 basketball court) (500 feet from nearest parking lot to courts)
- Helen B. Lowder Park (2 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts) (250 feet from nearest parking lot to courts)
- Hobble Creek Park (12 pickleball courts, 2 tennis courts) (400 feet from nearest parking lot to courts)
- Peppermint Park (2 tennis courts and 1 basketball court) (50 feet from nearest parking lot to courts)
- Phillippi Park (1 tennis court, 2 basketball courts) (175 feet from nearest parking lot to courts)
Send a Message to Parks and Rec
For other after hours park related emergencies (i.e. irrigation issues, restrooms), please call (208) 489-6640.