Boise River Greenbelt Live Cam

• Quinn's Pond Boise Greenbelt Top feature

Historical Facts

• Boise was founded in 1863 as a supply and transportation center for the mining towns in the surrounding area during the Idaho gold rush.
• Boise was officially incorporated as a city in 1864 and became the capital of Idaho in 1865.
• The first permanent school in Boise was established in 1865, and the first newspaper, the Idaho Statesman, was published in 1864.
• Boise experienced a major fire in 1865 that destroyed much of the city, leading to the construction of new, fire-resistant buildings.
• In 1880, Boise became the first city in the United States to be powered by hydroelectricity, generated by the Idaho Power Company's Boise River power plant.
• During World War II, Boise was home to the Boise Army Airfield, which trained over 100,000 military personnel for combat.
• In 1959, Boise State University was founded, which has since grown to become one of the largest universities in Idaho.
• The city's population grew rapidly during the latter half of the 20th century, from around 34,000 in 1950 to over 200,000 today.
• Boise has been ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States by numerous publications, including Forbes and Livability.
• Boise has a rich Basque heritage, with many Basque immigrants settling in the city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Boise has one of the largest Basque communities in the United States.

Boise greenbelt North Bank, from east to west

The Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile (40-kilometer) trail system that runs along the Boise River and is a popular spot for walking, jogging, biking, and other outdoor activities. The North Bank section of the Greenbelt runs on the north side of the Boise River and stretches from east to west through the city. Here is a breakdown of the North Bank Greenbelt from east to west:

• The Greenbelt starts at Lucky Peak Dam, located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of downtown Boise. This section of the Greenbelt is known for its scenic views of the Boise River and the surrounding mountains.
• Heading west, the Greenbelt passes through the city of Boise and past several parks, including Marianne Williams Park, Baggley Park, and Julia Davis Park.
• Near Julia Davis Park, the Greenbelt passes the Boise Zoo and the Idaho State Historical Museum.
• Continuing west, the Greenbelt passes through Ann Morrison Park and the Boise State University campus.
• Further west, the Greenbelt passes through Veterans Memorial Park and the Esther Simplot Park, which features a large pond, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
• The North Bank Greenbelt ends at the west end of the city at the Garden City Greenbelt Park, which features a boat ramp and fishing access to the Boise River.

The South Bank section of the Boise River Greenbelt runs along the south side of the Boise River and is another popular stretch of the trail system. Here is a breakdown of the South Bank Greenbelt from east to west:

• The Greenbelt starts at Barber Park, located about 8 miles (13 kilometers) east of downtown Boise. This section of the Greenbelt is known for its whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities.
• Heading west, the Greenbelt passes through several parks, including Marianne Williams Park, Baggley Park, and Julia Davis Park.
• Near Julia Davis Park, the Greenbelt passes the Boise Zoo and the Idaho State Historical Museum.
• Continuing west, the Greenbelt passes through Ann Morrison Park and the Boise State University campus.
• Further west, the Greenbelt passes through Kathryn Albertson Park, which features a large pond, gardens, and a natural spring.
• The South Bank Greenbelt ends at the west end of the city at the Garden City Greenbelt Park, which features a boat ramp and fishing access to the Boise River.

Overall, the South Bank Greenbelt offers a similar experience to the North Bank, with scenic views of the river and access to parks and other attractions along the way.

Boise River Greenbelt DOTS

The Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile (40-kilometer) trail system that runs along the Boise River and is a popular spot for walking, jogging, biking, and other outdoor activities. Here are some of the main "dots" or points of interest along the Greenbelt:

• Lucky Peak Dam: This is the starting point of the Greenbelt on the east end, located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of downtown Boise. Lucky Peak Dam provides water storage, flood control, and hydroelectric power for the Boise area.
• Marianne Williams Park: This park is located along the Greenbelt in the northeast part of Boise and features a playground, picnic areas, and tennis courts.
• Julia Davis Park: This is one of Boise's oldest and most popular parks, located in the heart of downtown. It features a rose garden, playgrounds, a lagoon, and several museums and cultural attractions, including the Boise Art Museum and the Idaho State Historical Museum.
• Ann Morrison Park: This park is located along the Greenbelt just west of downtown and features a large pond, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and sports fields.
• Boise State University: The Greenbelt runs through the Boise State University campus, which is home to over 25,000 students and features several notable landmarks, including the "Bronco" statue and the blue turf football field.
• Kathryn Albertson Park: This park is located along the Greenbelt in the southwest part of Boise and features a large pond, gardens, and a natural spring.
• Garden City Greenbelt Park: This is the westernmost point of the Greenbelt, located just across the river from Boise in the city of Garden City. It features a boat ramp and fishing access to the Boise River.

Overall, the Boise River Greenbelt offers a variety of points of interest and opportunities for outdoor recreation, making it a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.

Riverside Village Controversy

The Riverside Village controversy refers to a contentious development project that was proposed for the Riverside neighborhood in Boise in the early 2000s. The project was a mixed-use development that would have included apartments, condos, retail space, and a public park, and was intended to revitalize the area and attract more residents and businesses to the neighborhood.

However, the project faced opposition from some members of the community who felt that it would lead to increased traffic, noise, and density in the neighborhood, and that it would threaten the character of the area. Some also raised concerns about the impact of the development on the nearby Boise River Greenbelt, which is a popular recreational area that runs through the neighborhood.

The controversy eventually led to a series of public meetings and hearings, and the project was ultimately scaled back and modified to address some of the concerns raised by the community. The final development included fewer units and less commercial space than the original proposal, and the public park was expanded to provide more green space for the community.

While the controversy was heated at times, it also sparked important conversations about growth and development in Boise, and the need to balance economic growth with the preservation of the city's natural and cultural resources. Today, the Riverside neighborhood is still a vibrant and growing area of Boise, with a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy.