Developer make donation for new Idaho Falls park
Taxpayers won’t be picking up the tab for a new park making its way to Idaho Falls. As a result of a $2-million donation in land and cash from Stafford and Woody Smith, Ball Ventures and the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, the city will be able to establish Heritage Park.
“This is a diamond that has been largely undiscovered in our city and we just thought this needs to be a park and it needs to be available to everyone,” said Stafford Smith.
Woody and Stafford Smith have been the developers of the donated land and have been looking to push the vision of their parents, Albin and Mary Smith, forward.
“We have a tremendous family here in Idaho Falls and we want to remember those people who have sacrificed and the visions they’ve had to make what’s available to us to enjoy,” said Smith.
The city said it plans to use the land to extend the green belt along the Snake River and provide a more natural means of recreation for the Idaho Falls Community.
“It gives us a chance to tell the story of how our community came to be,” said Mayor Rebecca Casper. “The City Council is excited about this gift and there are going to be so many ideas batted around about how this park can become a showpiece and a centerpiece of our park system.”
Director of the Parks and Recreation Division Greg A. Weitzel said it will take years to develop the property, but the city does have plans to make it a central part of their parks system.
“Individually, people are going to enjoy coming down here for running, biking and walking.”said Weitzel. “Parks provide a lot of benefits to our community and to individuals who use them, the environment, as well as the economy. I see that this is a perfect example of all four of those benefits.”
The park will be an extension of Ryder Park, just south of Snake River Landing along Milligan Road. The city said it should take three years to develop and will be funded through local, state, federal and foundation grants, as well as through solicitation of other businesses.
