New features are coming to Veterans Memorial Park! This popular destination for reflection and recreation, located at the corner of State Street and Veterans Memorial Parkway, is receiving a series of updates scheduled to debut in 2026. City of Boise leaders, project partners and neighbors gathered at the park today to celebrate the improvements and participate in a golden shovel ceremony to kick-off construction.
“It’s a great to see work begin on this project that I know the community is eager to experience,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “With the Wilson Station Apartments opening up just across State Street, this improved community gathering space will continue to connect residents and create a safe place for recreation and mental health benefits, as it’s located within a 10-minute walk of close to 4,000 Boiseans from 1,842 homes.”
Boise Parks and Recreation worked closely with community members to create an updated park master plan that reflects the space and meets the needs of users of all ages. A year-long, community-led engagement effort resulted in plans to add an 18-hole disc golf course to the park, along with a nature play area with a variety of elements for young kids and teens to supplement the already popular playground on site. Additionally, residents supported increased security infrastructure and safety improvements to the park. The more than $600,000 investment is funded by impact fees generated through community growth and development.
“The updated plan for this park is truly a testament to the engagement and passion of Boise residents,” added Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway. “We continue to look for ways to add new, innovative and meaningful features to our popular park system and the impact fees being spent here will create even more opportunities for the community to find a place they belong.”
The new nature playground includes a dry streambed and water play pump, a sand play area, log play features to encourage cooperative play in a natural setting, multi-user interactive swing and more.
Meanwhile, Parks and Recreation’s design team has been working closely with disc golf professionals, nearby neighborhood associations and other stakeholders to finalize the design of the 18-hole disc golf course to best meet the needs of all park users. Safety, as always, is top of mind.
Construction fencing has been placed for the addition of the nature playground, but work on site is not expected to affect other areas of the park, including use of the existing playground, reservable shelter or restrooms.
Work is scheduled through the end of the year, with the refreshed park and new features set to open in the spring (2026).
To learn more about Veterans Memorial Park and the important memorials located there, please visit our website.