City Council considering changing name of Bonneville Park

Col. David Kirkpatrick: that’s a name that may become even more familiar in Pocatello if the City Council approves a request to rename Bonneville Park after him.

Members of the Pocatello Kiwanis Club made a formal proposal to the council Thursday. They feel Kirkpatrick deserves to be honored in the community.

“I was very fortunate to know him for over 60 years,” said Rich Smith, former Kiwanis Club president. “Tremendous, tremendous gentleman, tremendous hero and role model to youth in our community.”

Col. Kirkpatrick was very involved with youths.

He started the ROTC program at Idaho State University, and later taught military science there. He also helped to raise millions of dollars in scholarships for the university over the years.

Kirkpatrick also worked with youths in Boy Scouts, Key Club, Kiwanis and other service organizations.

The Pocatello City Parks and Recreation Department said it supports the name change because Bonneville Park is named after the street it’s on, not a person of significance to the city.

The department said the community so far seems to be in favor of the change.

“A lot of people knew Col. Kirkpatrick and he was really dedicated to serving Pocatello and ISU for the better part of 50 years,” said John Banks, parks and recreation director. “So all in all, we’ve had a tremendous amount of support for this request.”

Banks said ISU is also 100 percent in support of the name change.

The Kiwanis Club said it will pay the cost of changing the sign and will also pay for a plaque to be put up in Kirkpatrick’s honor.

The final proposal is expected to go to city council for a formal vote in early April.