In the first e-mail you posted, BPR’s Doug Holloway says Parks and Rec has no funding and is not accepting new proposals. Does anyone know when the policy of not accepting new proposals (except donations) went into effect, and if it is still in effect?

My limited experience with Parks and Rec is that they have all kinds of funding when they want to. For example, in Military Reserve Parks and Rec are spending $450,000 for the new shrunken Dog Park and Restroom. Plus the relocation of the Archery Range may cost considerably more if lead is dealt with at the old shooting range. Plus Parks and Rec found funding for a new full-time position to tend the Bike Park.

It sounds like someone knows something but no one is talking. I bet the Simunich family knows. Let’s reach out to them. The neighborhood deserves a right to know what’s going on! Wasn’t this area one of the areas being comsidered for some type of renewal but another area was chosen. Maybe it wasn’t chosen because the litigation that is making its way through the courts? I bet there is a plan for those 40 acres! Dig deeper and keep us informed…

Team Dave’s only goal seems to be packing people into Boise like sardines.

Growth is not good, it destroys quality of life like a malignant cancer.

I’m assuming this is the large vacant parcel just east of Vista, and south of Victory Road. For years, it’s been somewhat of a “noodle scratcher” for me, wondering why some deep-pockets developer didn’t put a “planned community” of some sort in there.

Other old-timers might remember 20 years or so ago, when my friend Wayne Davis grew irises – acres and acres of them, in every imaginable color!

That property might not be “paradise,” but our Overlords salivate when they think of paving it and putting up a parking lot… and collecting all that tax money!

And you Vista Neighbors – you elected Team Dave to make the tough decisions. Now please just stand out of the way; they will do what’s best.

to Easterner: no motive for the realtors who volunteered to help VNA – they are onesie, twosie realtors, not developers. You’re accusative without reason.

This is nothing like the ACHD elected commissioner and the bridge to the private property.

This Simunich (sp?) property was in play for many years and the neighborhood should have (like dirt turns to gold), and may still have a chance. It is up to the Simunch’s to contribute to society and include amenities for the neighborhood. The city does have money. In fact about 100 million or so. . .

Vote in the next election – if there is a new mind to put to work.

Link to Vista Vision published 1999 (20 year plan) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rc0m_A9QcpO8KjU9r2Kg-ptphvEG-TFB/view?usp=sharing

2.5 Public Park System
Introduction As the population of the Vista Neighborhood increases, so will its demand for public open spaces. The provision for local parks and activities suited to the needs and desires of the population will serve to attract and retain families within the Vista Neighborhood. Background Report Findings Provision of Park and Recreation Services – The Vista Neighborhood is considered deficient in neighborhood parks. The Comprehensive Park and Recreation System Plan supports the purchase and improvement of a neighborhood park on the east side of Vista Avenue. Besides the acquisition of neighborhood parkland, opportunities to provide park area exist in the form of: (1) shared facilities with Whitney and Hawthorne Elementary Schools; (2) through the provision of mini-parks; and (3) by managed use of linear open space uses along the New York Canal and Union Pacific Railroad rights-of-ways. The economic and demographic character of Vista Neighborhood households supports locating a community center that serves low to moderate income families, and the young and aged members of the population. During the decade from 1980 to 1990 only two age groups saw an increase in population; people between the ages of 35-44, and over 65 years old. In 1990, more than 40% of the population was under 19 years of age, or over 65 years old. In regards to income, 40%-50% of the housing units within the Vista Neighborhood are rental, as compared to a citywide average of 34%. During the 1997/98 school year 63% of the Whitney Elementary School student body qualified for free and reduced lunches, as did 48% at Hawthorne Elementary School; the city average for that school year was 33%. These statistics are a reflection of the fact that more than 50% of the households in a large portion of the Vista Neighborhood earn low to moderate incomes. Plan Objectives: ¸ Increase the amount of green and open space within the Vista Neighborhood. ¸ Maintain and provide significant vegetation throughout the Vista Neighborhood. ¸ Manage and maintain the neighborhood’s park and recreation facilities in a manner that makes them attractive, safe, and functional for the population it serves.

3.4 Openspace
Current Park Facilities: The Vista Neighborhood contains one park, located at 2800 Canal Street on
the west side of Vista Avenue. Approximately 5.75 acres in size, Shoshone Neighborhood Park is
developed with restrooms, a children’s play area, tennis courts, and a ball field. There are no parks on the
east side of Vista Avenue, forcing those who desire to use Shoshone Park to cross a five (5) lane arterial
roadway. Neighborhood parks are located just outside the eastern boundary of the Vista Neighborhood
but are relatively inaccessible due to three significant barriers: the Union Pacific Railroad, Federal Way
and the New York Canal. Exhibit 5 below shows the current park coverages for the Vista Neighborhood
Area. Note that the land east of Vista Avenue is devoid of parks, and the crosshatched area displays park
coverage that is marginal due to poor accessibility.

Planned Neighborhood Park: The Comprehensive Park and Recreation System Plan supports the
purchase and improvement of a neighborhood park on the east side of Vista.

Mr. Kangas, it is called speculating and being suspicious of motives; much like the VNA is ‘speculating’ Boise City operated in an intentional manner to “ignore” the opportunity of yet another park- Despite the emails showing the Parks Dept did ask about a price and did reply to the owner’s inquiry.
Simply because VNA was not invited “to
sit down and discuss the possibilities”, does not mean a discussion did not happen. So WHO is disparaging whom? I would say VNA is indeed unfairly disparaging the Mayor and city parks and accusing them of things VNA is not aware.
Add your statement “the City’s ENTIRE focus”… That’s certainly exaggerated and certainly not a nice way to engage in a “partnership” with the city.
I would ‘speculate’ the city has spent considerable efforts, in recent years, directed at the Vista neighborhood including the airport, F35s, and refugee housing. Perhaps Vista has used up their quota. Ha!

So, clearly the developer did not donate the land to make a park – despite VNA’s statement above “Simunich Family has honored this vision”. They could have donated it or put an easement on it at any time if that was their intent.
Otherwise, waiting and hoping the city will BUY it, is something else ___.

Most other parks are DONATED or funded purchases and get the family naming rights. Including the Whitewater Park you mentioned as a ‘distraction’ to a Vista park.
Here for example in SouthEAST Boise (not downtown) just a couple months ago a NEW Boise park https://www.kivitv.com/news/land-donated-for-new-southeast-boise-park

Good luck getting another neighborhood park!

The next VNA meeting will be held on Thursday, February 28th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Whitney Community Center. We welcome continued discussion on this topic.