Sandy Downs Master Plan Survey
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the newsletter or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
This is for those who want to participate in the Sandy Downs Master Plan Survey
The PR said the survey was available at ifrec.org, which actually translates itself to the Parks and Recreation Department’s homepage at: http://ifrec.org/main/index2.asp?PageId=856
However, the Parks department does not conveniently link to the survey, but instead tells you: “To Access this survey see the left hand column and click on Documents and then Parks & Rec. Please complete and either e-mail it back to rstraub@ci.idaho-falls.id.usor fax it to 612-8179.”
Following this direction, I found the survey document is actually offered at http://ifrec.org/main/documents.asp?documentsubcatID=74
And finally the survey’s actual download link: http://ifrec.org/ccadmin/document/documentdownload.asp?
Name=public+survey+master+plan%2Edoc&File=%2Fmain%2Fdocuments
%5Cpublic+survey+master+plan%2Edoc&docID=812
The download did not contain the critical “.doc” extension, so I had to rename it with a .doc extension to open it. I hope the city knows using .doc files are not as universal and convenient as using .pdf files.
So I figured after all the hoops I went through, others might give up. Since the PR will be printing the survey next month, I figured it was fair to reprint the survey here. Please copy the following into your comment, then answer it. I will email all the results myself to the city parks department.
So here you go, let the city have your input:
Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Survey Sandy Downs Master Plan
The City of Idaho Falls Sandy Downs Advisory Committee is in the process of formulating a Master Plan to help direct the future growth of the park.
Sandy Downs is 150 acres in size and is capable of accommodating new facilities and parking. Some future uses that have been suggested include: buildings for events and shows, athletic fields, outdoor concert seating, equestrian shows and a location for an ice rink.
We would ask that you take the time to fill out the following survey. Your input is critical.
How often have you visited Sandy Downs is the last year?
- 1-5 times
- 6-10 times
- 10 or more times
Should Sandy Downs
- continue to be developed along tradition uses: horse racing, equestrian events, rodeos , civic events( mud volleyball, beer fest etc.)
- or be developed as a regional park such as Tautphaus or Freeman Parks
- or a combination of both?
Comments:
What are the most needed facilities or activities at Sandy Downs?
(Rank 1 through 4 with 1 being your first choice)
- Athletic Fields
- Large indoor facility to host events
- Restroom and showers
- Arenas
- Picnic areas or Pavilion
- RV Campground for Event participants
- Natural interpretive areas
- Increase public events - races, cultural events etc
- Increase number of plantings - trees, shrubs, flowers
- Improve condition of facilities/grounds - maintenance, etc.
- Add children’s play areas
- Add trails pedestrian bike etc
- Add simple comforts - water, benches etc.
- Other:
Have you participated in or attended a event at Sandy Downs?
Check as many that apply
- Beer Fest
- Simulcast
- Horse Racing
- Mud Volleyball
- War Bonnet Roundup
- Bull wars Rodeo
- Circus
- Use the Sand Dunes
- Campfires or picnics
- Kite Festival
- Chariot Racing
- Other
Are you a city resident?
Yes / No
Please indicate your age.
Under 19
20 – 40
41 – 64
Over 65
Additional Comments?
You can leave your response below in a comment which I will emailed to the city, or you can email your responses directly to: rstraub@ci.idaho-falls.id.us
I would rather see your response added below, so that we all might build on each other’s ideas.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Vote:
0 
0 I posted this then promptly forgot it myself (derrr).
How often have you visited Sandy Downs is the last year?
* 1-5 times
Should Sandy Downs
* or a combination of both?
Comments: expand it into a really huge park, even including the golf course as part of the package, plant an arboretum, create an area for another amusement park (like funland in Tautphaus)
What are the most needed facilities or activities at Sandy Downs?
(Rank 1 through 4 with 1 being your first choice)
4 Athletic Fields
1 Large indoor facility to host events
3 Restroom and showers
1 Arenas
3 Picnic areas or Pavilion
4 RV Campground for Event participants
2 Natural interpretive areas
1 Increase public events - races, cultural events etc
1 Increase number of plantings - trees, shrubs, flowers
2 Improve condition of facilities/grounds - maintenance, etc.
1 Add children’s play areas
1 Add trails pedestrian bike etc
3 Add simple comforts - water, benches etc.
Have you participated in or attended a event at Sandy Downs?
Check as many that apply
* Beer Fest
* Horse Racing
* Circus
* Use the Sand Dunes
* Campfires or picnics
* Kite Festival
Are you a city resident?
Yes
Please indicate your age.
20 – 40
Vote:
0 0 1. 1-5 times
2. both, I already love what events are held out there but have always thought Sandy Downs could have huge potential as a regional draw.
3. 1.Increase the amount of public events 2.Add restrooms and showering facitlies 3. Improve existing facitlites (the grandstand ecspecially) 4. Large Indoor facility (possibly an add on to the grandstand)
4. Beer Fest, Mud Volleyball, Use the Sand Dunes, Campfires or picnics
5. No
6. 20-40
Additional Comments: How about an ampitheatre built into the dunes so that anyone wishing to bring a concert to Idaho Falls during the summer months would have a place to play. I was there for the BFE 2 concert a few years back and alot of people showed up and it wasn’t crowded at all. I am sure you could pack 5 to 10 thousand people into an event at the Dunes and it wouldn’t be at all crowded. The basic need for an event this big though, TOILETS!!!
Vote:
0 0 I have a question: Why in the world is the state fair held in Blackfoot? Wouldn’t Sandy Downs be a much better venue?
I remember we went to the state fair in Blackfoot last year and it was a nightmare. Don’t get me wrong, we had a good time. But parking was crazy. You either find a homeowner that wants to charge you 10-15 bucks to park in his yard, or park in the street or any number of business’ parking lots that were blocks away with no real security to speak of. Once inside the fairgrounds, it was so crowded it took forever to get anywhere. People were packed in their like sardines!
Wouldn’t Sandy Downs be a better place to hold the State Fair? What are the main reasons for holding it in Blackfoot? Is it all political and has it always been held in Blackfoot?
Isn’t the Sandy Downs area larger then the fairgrounds in Blackfoot? I could be wrong in thinking SD is a larger venue, but I was just wondering what others thought about this. It just seems to me SD has much more space for parking, and basically just a lot more open space period.
What are your thoughts/comments?
Vote:
0 0 I would love to see that fair held at Sandy Downs also, because our area would get the economic benefits and my drive would be much shorter.
I imagine it’s in Blackfoot as a compromise location between the two large population centers of Pocatello and Idaho Falls.
I wonder if we were to take into consideration that more people live north of Blackfoot than south of it (when considering all of southeast Idaho), where might the balance point end up?
But actually, I don’t think Sandy Downs has as large of a flat area as Blackfoot’s area. I think the parking might be a problem also, as overflow would be along the two-lane roads and could be dangerous.
I like the idea, but I don’t see us wrestling that away from them.
Vote:
0 0 You make some good points. Thanks for the input! 
Vote:
0 0 Great news for Eastern Idaho, Sandy Downs will be home to BFE 2007 on August 18th. Those of you who remember the last BFE in 2001 know that it was a great fun-filled all day event.
This year there will be two stages with local and national bands playing, a gaming tent, a DJ spinning hip hop, and quads will be burnin’ up the turf.
The best news of all, BFELLC, the company that puts these events on is going to have this festival at Sandy Downs EVERY YEAR!
This annual event should help to bring the dream of having Sandy Downs as a multi purpose area into reality.
This years lineup, at least the better known acts will be; Seether, Papa Roach, CKY, Clutch, Living Color, Adema, and Candlebox, with a total of 13 bands in all!
Remember this is more than a concert, this is a pop culture festival, for all ages.
For more information, http://bigfreakinevents.com/
Vote:
0 0 Just heard the BFE 07 information announced on KBEAR this morning. Sounds like its going to be an awesome show!
These are some pretty big acts to be coming to Idaho Falls, so I for one am pretty excited. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.
ps…you know how the traffic issue is in and around Sandy Downs, so anyone interested in car-pooling lets talk.
Vote:
0 0 i cant believe theyre allowing kids in there, under 4yo are free? hope some cops are posted in the bathroom s and exits to watch for molestations and kidnappings
Vote:
0 0 IMO, You can’t be much of a parent to take your child to a rock show like this. I can’t see there being that many kids at this show, but then again, I did see quite a few idiots that brought babies to beerfest. I’m talking babies in strollers. It’s pretty sad. If you can’t afford a babysitter for the day then don’t bother going. Don’t subject your child to all the noise and craziness that goes along with a rock concert.
But I can almost gaurantee you they will be there.
Vote:
0 0 You might be a redneck if:
you take a 2y/o to an all day rock concert.
You might be a redneck if:
you run a private daycare and decide to take them on a fieldtrip to BFE 07!
You might be a redneck if:
you can’t afford a babysitter for your six kids so you decide to bring them to a rock concert and sit them all down on a huge patchwork quilt your grandmother made.
Leave Your Comment
Our Community's Comment Guidelines:- Please stay polite and on topic.
- Your email will never be published.
- No profanity or euphemisms for profanity.
- No personal attacks, name-calls, put-downs, or baiting other guests, races, genders, or religions.
- Express opinions, facts, logic, and reasoning; just don’t argue for argument’s sake.
- No commercial links (unless absolutely relevant to the discussion) and no religious proselytizing.
- No religious discussions (for or against). Go to http://religiondebates.blogspot.com for religious discussions.
- Use the "I" word as much as possible to demonstrate responsibility.
- Limit yourself to using one name per thread to demonstrate responsibility.
- If you think a comment is inappropriate, ask Joe to review it.
Loading ...
Vote:
I can’t believe there aren’t more responses to this topic, as I for one hope they don’t do away with Sandy Downs. Even though I’ve only been here about a year, I have been to Sandy Downs and thought it was a great place to hold events and I think it should stay that way. Here are my answers to the above questions:
1. 1-5 times
2. Sandy Downs should continue to be developed along traditional uses: horse racing, equestrian events, rodeos , civic events( mud volleyball, beer fest etc.) , although I also think a combination of the two wouldn’t be so bad either.
3. Most needed facilities, from most important 1,restroom facilities 2,improve condition of facilities 3,increase public events 4,improve the landscaping/quality of grounds
4. the only event I’ve attended was Beer Fest last year and I thought it was a great time and a huge success. This is why I think more events should be planned here, concerts, demolition derbys, motocross, monster truck rallies, etc.
5. Yes
6. 20-40