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NEW PARK PLANNED FOR IDAHO FALLS

Posted on: April 30, 2007

IDAHO FALLS – A new nature park is in the works for Idaho Falls according to the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. These agencies recently teamed up to promote a new venture to the community, Ryder Park, to be located along the Snake River at the new Sunnyside Bridge.

Steve Schmidt, Regional Supervisor for Fish and Game hopes many will catch the vision, “Wouldn’t it be great to have an area where kids and the whole family could hop on their bikes and ride to a pond to catch some fish?”

Fish and Game sees the new park as an ideal opportunity to help get kids outdoors and exposed to fishing. By keeping the ponds amply stocked with hatchery trout, Fish and Game can create a fishery with high catch-rates—a particularly important feature for kids and beginning anglers. According to Schmidt, “We are concerned about the decline in number people who fish. Kids are spending more time watching the TV and the computer and less time outdoors. We want to give families a healthy outdoor alternative.”

The good news is that the city of Idaho Falls already owns the 58 acres proposed for the new urban park. Dave Christiansen, Director, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department notes, “We’ve had a design concept for a park at this location since 1997. The installation of the new Sunnyside Bridge and expansion of the greenbelt now has sparked new life into this project.” The park property has 3,700 feet of river frontage.

Although both agencies have a similar vision for Ryder Park, they don’t have the funds to make the park a reality. Christiansen is eager to get the project rolling, “We hope the community will express their interest in this new park opportunity and we wish to speak to all who want to be involved in the project.”

Ryder Park promises to be a major Idaho Falls destination and an economic asset to the community. The conceptual design includes:

  • A new boat ramp to the Snake River
  • Two ponds
  • Visitor center
  • Outdoor amphitheater
  • Picnic areas
  • Demonstration Gardens
  • Pathways / Greenbelt Trail

In addition, the city hopes to develop a plant propagation facility in the park to grow plants to be used in all Idaho Falls parks.

Schmidt and Christiansen hope someday folks will attend a campfire talk at Ryder Park or go bird watching along the park’s trails. Others may wish to learn about which shrubs and flowers to plant to attract wildlife or simply to enjoy the great Idaho outdoors.

For more information about the Ryder Park project, please call Dave Christiansen at 208-612-8482 or Steve Schmidt at 208-525-7290.


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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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