Idaho Falls looks at tentative master plans for two major parks

After several public discussions complete with public input and a consultant firm, the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department presented their tentative master plans before the city council for two major city parks.

The two parks in question are Tautphaus Park and the new soon-to-be-built Heritage Park just off the Snake River north of Sunnyside Rd.

“We’re planning for one of the oldest parks in Idaho Falls and one of the newest parks in Idaho Falls,” said Greg A. Weitzel, the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department Director. “So it’s really kind of a neat planning process.”

For Tautphaus Park, city leaders met with hundreds of local people, and went over what was important to the community and what wasn’t. The tentative master plan simplifies the park by creating more open space. It also expands the zoo south into the 4-H property, and provides a more comprehensive parking plan that increases the number of parking spaces but decreases the amount of space needed.

The new Heritage Park will be unique in Idaho Falls in that city leaders hope to make it a more nature oriented park. Plans include lowland areas for water runoff, eating pavilions, dirt and paved pathways, bridges to nearby river islands, and a man-made hill that provides panoramic views of the Snake River.

If all elements of the park’s master plans are approved and funded, the city is looking at a bill of several million dollars. Current plans call for spreading the bill out over several years by renovating and building the parks in phases. City leaders hope to look for alternative methods of funding to save some local tax dollars.

“We’re going to do that (save local tax dollars) by writing grants, looking for funding from individuals,” said Weitzel. “The Rotary Club of Idaho Falls has already pledged a significant amount of money towards the project, and we’ve had several individuals come forward willing to donate.”

Since the master plans are tentative, city leaders say nothing is final. They do hope to start work within the next year or two. People interested in learning more about the parks can find information at ifparkplans.com.