The City of Trees has that nickname for a reason. Boise is home to the 29th most parks per capita of any city in the United States, according to the Trust For Public Land. The trust says that out of more than 4,100 acres of parks in the capital city, Julia Davis Park is the most visited in Boise.
With temperatures rising and daylight lasting well into the evening, we’re entering peak park season. Whether you want to picnic, grill, slack line or just take in a bit of nature, Boise offers several easily accessible options.
Obviously a good place to start is the Boise’s most-visited greenspace: Julia Davis Park. Established in 1907, people were going for a spring stroll in the heart of Boise five years before the Titanic sank. Verdant lawns and tree-lined pathways populate the park. If you’re looking to mix both the outdoors and the in, Julia Davis Park is surrounded by museums and is home to Zoo Boise.
A roundup of local parks by the Statesman also highlights Anne Morrison Park as an emerald jewel in the community. The 153 acre space was set aside in 1959. The sprawling fields allow room for kickball, disc golf, soccer or cricket for the cosmopolitan international types. Running adjacent to the Boise River, Anne Morrison is connected to the city’s famed Greenbelt and can easily be biked to. A great seasonal feature is the free-flowing fountain near the park’s entrance off Americana Boulevard. Shooting water high into the air, it provides maximum summer cooling with minimal effort. Splash around and feel the refreshment.
The city’s newest open space is Esther Simplot Park. Located near Whitewater Park, Esther Simplot has ponds, picnic spaces and playgrounds. In addition to land-based activities, there’s paddleboarding and a seasonally-stocked pond for fishing. The park is Greenbelt accessible and also offers a monthly summer concert series called Music On The Water.
While these are three of Boise’s biggest and most established parks, there are pockets of green space scattered throughout the city. To find a park near you, check the city’s website or just go for a walk around your neighborhood.
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