City Leaders Celebrate Improvements to One of Boise's Oldest Parks in the Heart of Downtown

June 10, 2025

The City of Boise is excited to announce the completion of improvements at C.W. Moore Park designed to enhance the park’s accessibility, usability and historical elements. The park, one of the oldest in Boise, has served as a community gathering space and children’s park since the 1930s. Thanks to support from city leaders, and in partnership with the Boise City Department of Arts & History, the Housing and Community Development Division, and with funding from the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), the historic park can be enjoyed with refreshed elements and new features.

“Folks have enjoyed this park for generations, and it holds many memories for those in our community,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “We are grateful for the partners who came together to make this project a reality and reopen this park so residents, nearby schools and businesses can enjoy this vibrant downtown corner once again.”

C.W. Moore Park is a unique blend of historical artifacts leased from the state historical society and urban open space. The park sits in a historic area and served as home for a World War II agency (1956) and youth center (1975). The park was deeded to the city by Christopher W. Moore, a civic-minded emigrant, in 1916. Major elements of the park design are architectural artifacts saved from Boise buildings that were demolished during Urban Renewal efforts in the 1970s.

The 0.28-acre park was refreshed to improve accessibility, better organize the historical elements on site, and expand landscaping to create a more inviting and welcoming space. A new sidewalk restroom was installed as part of the project to improve downtown public restroom access for the community and to serve special events held at the park, funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A new rock play feature overlooks the old Grove Street Canal and waterwheel, which runs along the south side of the park. Refreshed planting beds create a peaceful urban garden, with the original seating restored and reused as a part of the park renovation to preserve its unique character. A series of elevated seat walls were installed at the park to expand the park seating capacity adjacent to the plaza, and to provide a relaxing place to enjoy all the park has to offer. These park improvements enhance the public space for everyone to enjoy.

“Each of Boise’s 100 developed parks is unique and this update creates a more inviting space for people to take pause and enjoy a break in their day,” added Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway. “This is also a popular reservation site for wedding ceremonies, and the improved park provides a beautiful setting for a variety of events. It’s our honor to be stewards of these spaces where Boiseans make memories and celebrate life’s milestones.”

New public art known as Clepsydra was installed adjacent to the park by the city's Department of Arts & History, a part of CCDC's Rebuild Old Boise Blocks on Grove Street project. Inspired by the waterwheel at C.W. Moore Park, artist Bobby Zokaites drew on the history of water as a tool for society-building to spark viewer curiosity and encourage engagement. Zokaites’ sculpture features a central wheel and repetition of form referencing the sheer number of waterwheels originally used to irrigate Boise and the surrounding area. Water and wheels were also used throughout history and across the world to measure time. This sculpture is modeled after ancient water clocks known as “clepsydras.” These six unique water-carrying vessels represent the evolution and beauty of human ingenuity as well as the immigrant populations who developed this neighborhood including those of Russian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Basque, and Swedish heritage.

Located in the heart of downtown Boise, C.W. Moore Park is within a 10-minute walk of 2,691 residents from 1,769 households. The park is also in walking and biking distance of a variety of local restaurants, stores, and businesses. Investments in park improvements support the city’s commitment to ensuring every resident lives within a 10-minute walk of a park and can experience the mental and physical benefits of outdoor recreation. City leaders and Boise Parks and Recreation remain committed to reaching 100 percent access for all Boise residents. The C.W. Moore Park improvement project was made possible through funding from the city’s Capital Improvement Program and matching funds from CCDC.

The community joined city leaders to celebrate the rededication of C.W. Moore Park on June 10, 2025, and the unique space is once again open to enjoy. To learn more about Boise’s parks and open spaces, visit the Boise Parks and Recreation website.

C.W. Moore Park Improvements Ribbon Cutting

Contact: Parks and Recreation Media Relations

(208) 608-7600 | bpr@cityofboise.org

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