The City of Boise is known for its incredible outdoor spaces, and the latest addition to the city’s park system marks a commitment to access and connectivity for all residents. The new Settlers Canal Path connection and park site provides a safe travel route for residents to get to nearby schools, parks and neighborhoods while creating needed habitat for pollinators alongside community gathering spaces.
The new addition, located off W. Goddard Road across from Capital High School, puts more than 1,900 residents from 685 households within a 10-minute walk to the park. Thanks to recent park property purchases, approximately 74 percent of Boiseans will have access to park space within 10-minutes of their home. City leaders and the Boise Parks and Recreation Department remain committed to reaching 100 percent access for all Boise residents.
“This new park is the embodiment of our goals to provide easy access to green space and safe pathways connecting where Boiseans live, work and play,” said Mayor Lauren McLean. “I am grateful for the advocacy of neighbors, the support of the Boise School District, and the generous donation of land from the Settlers Irrigation District to make this vision a reality.”
Design elements for the park and interior pathways include pollinator plantings with native shrubs and perennials, a 10-foot-wide accessible multi-use pathway that connects to nearby sidewalks, a shade pavilion with seating, garden walkways and lighting, and raised seat walls. The three-acre linear property in West Boise is adjacent to the Settlers Canal and provides a unique experience for users. The land for the park and pathway was donated to the City of Boise by the Settlers Irrigation District in 2022. The park’s name was chosen to highlight this gift as well as the city’s emphasis on pathway connections.
Settlers Canal Path marks the city’s 100th developed park. Boise continues to be recognized nationally for its park system, access to the outdoors, and efforts to make sure every Boisean can enjoy the mental and physical benefits of a variety of recreation opportunities.
“We are here today to celebrate not only a new park, but a continued commitment by our city leaders to invest in parks and recreation opportunities in the City of Boise,” added Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway. “It’s an honor for us to be stewards of these spaces and to provide places for Boiseans to make memories, improve their wellbeing and travel safely without having to get in a vehicle.”
Creation of the park and pathway connection has long been supported by neighbors and the West Bench Neighborhood Association. Residents advocated for turning the unused parcel along the canal into usable park space through the city’s Energize Our Neighborhoods program, and once the land donation was acquired, the project was partially constructed using neighborhood grant funding.
The City of Boise is continuing to promote and invest in parks and new pathway connections for all neighborhoods. For more information on Boise’s 10-Minute Walk to a Park initiative, visit our website. Residents can learn more about the city’s Pathways Program online as well.
