I.F. Parks & Recreation Receives Achievement Award for River Gardens at Taylor Crossing

IDAHO FALLS – The city of Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation Department received the 2015 City Achievement award in recognition of the revitalization work done at the River Gardens at Taylor Crossing.

The award was presented to Mayor Casper and City Council members during last week’s Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) Annual Conference in Boise, ID. This award is the second award the city has received for the River Gardens – the first of which was the Outstanding Facilities & Parks award from the Idaho Recreation & Park Association in 2014.

A ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the phase II of the River Gardens project was held Thursday.

The River Gardens at Taylor Crossing project converted underutilized river bank that was a dumping ground for construction companies into an accessible green space that allows for future program expansion and river use by community members of all ages and abilities.

This community treasure has been funded completely by reimbursements to the Idaho Falls Division of Parks and Recreation from the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency Urban Renewal Investment Fund and other donations. For phase II, the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency committed $390K, and the Idaho Falls Rotary Club donated an additional $60K.

Nate Durtschi of Rock Solid Landscape designed the landscape concept for the River Gardens. Phase II design consisted of 850 linear feet of riverbank stabilization and landscape improvements including planting of perennials, trees and sod grasses; placement of boulder retaining walls; establishing ADA access to the river; and creating a natural beach complete with sitting rocks for fishing.

Lava rock for the project was recycled from excavation work done at the Gem State Hydroelectric Power Plant and donated by Idaho Falls Power, adding an additional uniqueness to this project by using natural resources that otherwise would have been deemed waste material.

Agencies Involved:

• City of Idaho Falls
• Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency
• Parks & Recreation Department
• Taylor Crossing on the River, LLC
• Rock Solid Landscape
• Idaho Falls Shade Tree Committee
• Idaho Falls Power
• Rhodehouse Construction
• Idaho Falls Rotary Club

Greg A. Weitzel, Parks & Recreation Director, states, “The greenbelt is an important asset to our community that provides a beautiful and wholesome recreational environment for both our residents and guests. The partnerships that were made and necessary for the development of the River Gardens demonstrates what can happen when resources come together to make a difference in the community and is another reason this was such an outstanding project.”