I could not tell from the PR article if it was the local Smith (Automotive) Group or a person by the name of Smith that donated the land for our new city park, but I think that was awesome for them to do that.
The land is described as on the west bank, just north of Sunnyside. The area is described as a neat little natural environment, so it is especially nice to see it preserved as a park rather than paved over for yet another strip mall or parking lot. It will also become connected to our ever-growing greenbelt.
Mayor Jared Fuhriman was reported saying that he would like to get it developed as soon as possible. Excellent.
What features would be on your wishlist for this new Idaho Falls city park?
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Gato got runned over by Marcus many moons ago. Be ye daft, 2486? 
Let's have a new poll, alright, Joe?
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d like to see a rose garden, big abstract sculptures that kids can climb on, and a little natural amphitheater for little concerts.
That’s one thing I really love about this town. It seems like there’s a nice little park on every other corner. I think it’s great and it helps add a real sense of community to our community! Kudos to Smith for donating his land, a most generous act of kindness.
Do we know the size, as far as acerage goes? Perhaps some basketball hoops, or a outdoor hockey rink if theres room.
It’s 9.5 acres according to the PR, and it was donated by Stafford and Woody Smith, owners of the Smith group.
How about another Frolfcourse? I am glad to see green development. I hope the trend continues.
And there was FINALLY some mention of SRL tenants.
Good for the Smith Group for donating this land. Maybe there could be something unique in this park, so it didn’t seem like just another park. Of course, how can any park along the river be just another park?
I hope they build an ampitheatre for entertainment. I know Ball Ventures is planning on an Events Center, but many of us have commented for a while how great an outdoor venue would be.
What do you think of that idea?
Yeah but they will call it “Smith Park” and the same whiney people will come on here and complain about it.
the negativity never ends.
True Joe. I have high hopes for this park and I have no problem if it’s called Smith’s Park after those who donated the land.
For those who are experts in the geology and land in the area, would it be possible to create an out-door ampitheatre that had some natural back drop behind the stage? Or could something be built relatively easily?
So many peple go to summer concerts at Red Rocks, outside of Denver. With some smart planning, a community park could in SRL could provide different services to meet some of the needs the residents want.
Any ideas how an ampitheatre, or another natural, but different attraction giving residents more opportunities for concerts, outdoor plays (like Cedar City does with the Shakespear Festival) etc.?
Or, should the focus be on making this a park with many shelters and facilities for picnics and activities near a river? How about a webcam to show us that part of the Snake River?
What ideas do you have to make this a great park and perhaps different needs local residents have?
Wouldn’t you need a little more room for an outdoor ampitheatre? I wouldn’t think 9.5 acres would be sufficient. Let alone the cost. To make it nice enough to bring in concerts, plays, etc. I would think you’d need much more room. With an ampitheatre in mind, one would then have to consider room for parking.
Don’t get me wrong, it sounds like an excellent idea, I’m just not sure of the logistics of it all.
(I have no problem with the name either)
Good point. Maybe it would be better to focus the park on other activities.
Boise has a park with a really nice rose garden, I would like to see us plant one, plant the roses in formal rows, make it a little garden maze you can walk through.
For large sculptures, I’m imagining large sculptures set along the greenbelt, almost like the easter island statues in large size and rounded features, but with locally-significant forms. Perhaps one could be an amorphous eagle, another a deer, another a wolf (for the tourists), another a fish, etc.
I would like a wolf sculpture too (not sure what the “for the tourists” remark meant).
I wasn’t sure what “another wolf for the tourists” remark meant either. Care to elaborate on that one Joe?
Sure!
First, consider the context that I was writing the comment out quickly, just doing my usual quick brainstorming of ideas, thinking of statue figures, wolf came to mind in that train of thought, and I instantly thought of the wolf controversies and how a wolf statue may not be well received by locals, however tourists would adore it.
That’s all 8^)
It would be cool though, howling up at the sky.
That statue series idea would create great photo opportunities.
Installing big public art pieces are not just for the artsy folks, they create neat photo opps for tourists, who then show it to their social circles back home. The more neat things like that for tourists to photo, the more those photos serve as ambassadors for our city.
Given what I’ve seen that SRL plans to build, I’m not sure this is the location for an ampitheatre. It would be great near the river. But, no need to have similar projects too close together.
But, for the sake of having more entertainment options at the best venues, perhaps an east side location at the base of the mountains would work better.