Esther Simplot Park

Esther Simplot Park is a 55-acre public park located in Boise, Idaho. Opened in 2016, it is the newest addition to Boise's "Ribbon of Jewels," a string of riverside parks named after prominent local women. The park encompasses approximately 23 acres of ponds suitable for various recreational activities including fishing, wading, and swimming.

The park's development was made possible through a $1 million gift from J.R. and Esther Simplot in 2003, which allowed the Boise Parks and Recreation Department to complete the purchase of riverfront property. The city already owned 39 acres, part of which was donated by the Quinn-McEntee family, and the Simplots' donation enabled the purchase of the remaining 16.5 acres at the former site of the Consolidated Concrete Co.

Esther Simplot Park features a network of walking and biking paths totaling approximately one mile in length. The park's design incorporates natural elements, including wetlands and grassy open areas, providing a blend of recreational space and wildlife habitat. The ponds within the park are connected, creating a circuit for paddling that extends to nearby Quinn's Pond, offering over 50 acres of navigable water.

The park is designed not only for recreation but also serves functional purposes. It aids in reducing flood risk and managing stormwater in the area. Its location adjacent to the Boise River and proximity to other parks like Veterans Memorial Park and the Boise Whitewater Park creates an extensive interconnected outdoor recreational area for the community.

Year-round, the park prohibits pets except for service animals, ensuring a clean and safe environment for water activities and wildlife observation. The park's development, funded by the Simplot Foundation, has transformed what was once industrial land into a vibrant public space that serves as both a recreational destination and a natural oasis within the urban environment of Boise.