Idaho Falls

www.ifrec.org All the best, Greg A. Weitzel, MS, CPRP We are so fortunate to live, work and play in such a wonderful city as Idaho Falls! 2017 was the year of special events and we remained dedicated to providing a balanced and sustainable parks and recreation system that improves the quality of life for our growing and vibrant community. Below and on the pages that follow, please see a few highlights from the past year: • The Great American Eclipse was an event that we will all remember and brought a set of challenges and opportunities for the department unrivaled by anything our region has seen in recent history. • In just our second year of managing the War Bonnet Round Up, Idaho's Oldest Rodeo, the three day rodeo and downtown kick-off event witnessed record crowds and great competition from the best professional cowboys and cowgirls in the country. • The 25th Annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration moved to Snake River Landing which involved lots of planning and teamwork. The show was a huge success and we look forward to helping again in 2018. • The Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show was also held in July with more than 24,000 in attendance and an estimated 100,000 viewers. The airshow was awarded the prestigious Blue Angel Air Show of the Year at the International Council of Air Shows. • The Idaho Falls Zoo had another record breaking attendance year with 160,864 visitors, exceeding the 2016 record by 26,273 visitors! • Thanks to more than $850,000 in funding assistance provided by the William J. & Shirley A. Maeck Family Foundation and the Tautphaus Park Zoological Society, plans are underway to build a new education center at the zoo. • Mayor Casper, City Council and the Bonneville County Commissioners agreed on a purchase of five acres at the 4H County Fairgrounds that will eventually be repurposed to become new exhibits and features at the zoo. • New pickle ball courts were built at Lincoln Park, the second fishing pond was developed at Ryder Park, Phase III of the Rock Gardens at Taylor's Crossing was completed and a new OHV trails system, parking lot and restroom were built at the Idaho Falls Raceway at Noise Park. • Our dedicated volunteers continue to be big part of the success of the Department as more than 2,418 people of all ages and abilities provided more than $1,000,000 worth of donated time through 47,452 hours of service. We remain thankful for the dedication of our past and present staff members, elected officials, 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 2017! 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. FROM THE DIREC TOR 520 Memorial | Drive Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 Greg A. Weitzel | Director of Parks & Recreation Office (208) 612-8482 Fax (208) 612-8179 1

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