Idaho Falls

www.ifrec.org From the Director The Department of Parks and Recreation is dedicated to providing a balanced and sustainable parks and recreation system that helps improve the quality of life in our growing and vibrant community. Below and on the pages that follow, please see a few highlights from the past year: • Thanks to more than $2 million in funding assistance provided by the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency and the City of Idaho Falls, two priority projects were completed from the Connecting Our Community plan, as the west and east side Snake River Greenbelt Parkway Redesign was completed. • Dr. David Pennock became the new Executive Director of the Idaho Falls Zoo which had a record breaking attendance year with 132,615 visitors. The Zoo also raised the most funds for local and international conservation in zoo history and completed a five (5) year strategic plan that was approved by City Council. • The Department hosted the Montana and Idaho Parks and Recreation Associations (IPRA) Conference in Idaho Falls welcoming more than 300 professionals and was also awarded the 2016 IPRA Outstanding Program Award for our nature based programs. • After a robust public process that included input from more than 500 residents, the Tautphaus and Heritage Park Master Plans were completed and approved by City Council. The Department also created a new park planning project website, www.ifparkplans.com where residents can provide input and follow the planning process. • Volunteers from the St. Clair Homeowners Association provided funding and worked with the Parks Division to provide children and families in this neighborhood with a new basketball court, playground and open green space that once was only a city storm water retention pond. • Our dedicated volunteers are a big part of the success of the Department as more than 2,120 people of all ages and abilities provided more than $1 million worth of donated time through 51,300 hours of volunteer service. We remain thankful for the tireless dedication of our past and present staff members, the Mayor and City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, other City departments, boards and committees, partners, sponsors and volunteers, and to our great community, thank you for your support of the Department of Parks and Recreation in 2016! If you should have any questions, comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 208-612-8482 or by email at gweitzel@idahofallsidaho.gov. All the best, Greg A. Weitzel, MS, CPRP 2

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