Idaho Falls

2  IDAHO FALLS PARKS & REC FALL/WINTER 2015-16 A Message From Rebecca Casper Mayor, City of Idaho Falls Mission The mission of the City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Division is to provide quality parks and recreation opportunities based upon cost efficiency and community needs. City Council Members City Council meetings are held on the second and forth Thursdays of each month at 7:30pm at the City Annex Building. 680 Park Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Livestream@www.idahofallsidaho.gov/city/live-stream.html. Rebecca Casper .................Mayor Mike Lehto .........................Council President Sharon Parry ......................Council Member Thomas Hally ....................Council Member Ed Marohn .........................Council Member Barbara Dee Ehardt ............Council Member David Smith .......................Council Member Parks and Recreation Commission Commission meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 12:00pm at the Skyline Activity Center, 1575 N. Skyline Drive. For other Parks and Recreation committee meetings visit, www.ifrec.org. Bill Combo, Chair Mike Davis Jeffrey Forbes Jim Hammon Tom Hersh Matt Hill Steve Janes Jill Kirkham John LoBuono Kerry Martin Kris Millgate Dave Radford Parks and Recreation Division Admin Staff Greg A. Weitzel Division Director PJ Holm Superintendent of Recreation Kevin Day Recreation Supervisor Chris Horsley Recreation Specialist Brent Martin Superintendent of Parks & Cemeteries Jeff Baird Cemetery Sexton Delbert Lloyd Horticulturist/Urban Forester Joseph Hansen Parks Foreman Ronnie Campbell Weed and Environmental Control Linda Beard Interim Zoo Superintendent Tim Reinke Golf Manager/Pinecrest Golf Pro Mark Spraktes Superintendent of Pinecrest Golf Course John Graham Sand Creek Golf Pro Tim Lohse Superintendent of Sand Creek Golf Course Galen Denning Sage Lakes Golf Pro Daren Bowman Superintendent of Sage Lakes Golf Course Rhonda Newman Aquatics Manager The City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Division is a proud member of the NRPA and the IRPA. Staff member email addresses are listed at www.ifrec.org. 520 Memorial Drive • Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 • (208) 612-8480 • www.ifrec.org C I T Y I N F O R M AT I O N Parks and Recreation Office What a great year it has been for Parks & Recreation! As I write this message it's difficult to believe that we're approaching the end of the year. Foliage soon will be changing color; flip-flops will be traded in for warm, fuzzy slippers; and families will be planning for holidays, gift-giving and the excitement of fresh promises of New Year's resolutions. As I reflect on the last year, I'm reminded of the many gifts our community has received. By the time you read this message, I'm hopeful the greenbelt improvements of widening the path, building a retaining wall and creating safer pedestrian crossing along the west side of the Snake River will be well under- way. But I can assure you that improvements to our city's prized gem—the River Walk—don't stop there! In December of 2014, the city received a very generous Christmas gift from local developers in the form of 11.18 acres of undeveloped, prime, riverfront property to be developed into a city park located at the south end of Snake River Landing. In keeping with our city's rich culture and customs, the park will be named Heritage Park. We look forward to the day when we cut the ribbon and open the park for the community to enjoy. As you will see in this guide, our team in the Parks & Recreation Department works hard to ensure that the community has access to facilities and a wide- variety of recreational activities throughout the year. In fact, motorcycle and 4-wheeler enthusiasts will be very pleased to know that we recently received a grant from the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation for 400 acres of open riding trails to be located at the Idaho Falls Raceway at Noise Park. Watch for additional announcements to be made in late spring 2016. It is because Idaho Falls understands the importance of creating a sense of community and improving the quality of life for our residents through wise investments in Parks & Recreational facilities and programs that we were recognized as a "Playful City USA Community" for the first time ever. We also received two state awards this year for the River Gardens just north of Pancheri Bridge – a beautiful project we are very proud of! With that said, we also recognize that none of this would be possible with- out you – the taxpayer, the citizen, the charitable organization, the developer, the service organization and the many others who have invested money, time, talents, and resources and who've given valuable feedback. In fact, this year was the first year that a Citizen Review Committee formally reviewed the Parks & Recreation Department. We appreciate these good citizens and anticipate the feedback from that group will result in even more great things to come. A simple thank you does not seem like near enough, but please know we are extremely appreciative. And as the holiday season approaches, I hope you will find time to reflect on all the wonderful gifts in your own lives and also take time to bundle up and perhaps even try snowshoeing, ice skating or cross-country skiing! Be healthy! Get active! Enjoy Idaho Falls! Mayor Rebecca Casper City of Idaho Falls

• Cover