The first phase of construction of the Ray Neef MD River Recreation Park is under way with the installation of power service and a project to bolster the southwest corner of Quinn’s Pond.

The first phase of construction will rebuild the Thurman Mill Diversion as the largest feature of what will be a 1,900 linear foot water park on the Boise River. Later phases will include more in-river features, pedestrian viewpoints, and a realignment of the Greenbelt.

Phase I of the project is the most complex, and includes patented Wave Shaper technology that will allow for variable wave heights. Construction, wave shaper manufacture and design costs will total nearly $3.4 million, slightly more than half of the total project cost of $6.7 million. A volunteer group, Friends of the Park, has raised more than $2 million to date and is working to raise another $1.25 million in private funds to complete the first phase by fall of 2011.

To date, the Friends has been working with City of Boise to negotiate with water users, secure permits and develop a design. Fundraising efforts have proceeded slowly as legal and other hurdles inherent in building a river park in an urban setting were overcome. Organizers say one of the last hurdles involved with the first phase if the park was surmounted when they received a complete set of design documents in mid March.

This spring, workers will install fill material in the corner of the pond, which is located west of downtown in Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park, 3150 W. Pleasanton Ave. The fill material will help stabilize the bank of the Boise River and provide the structural support needed for replacement of the Thurman Mill diversion dam, a major component of the river park.

McAlvain Construction, a local firm hired by the Friends, is constructing the park. Two large floating pumps shown in the photo are being used to draw the pond down 4'-7' from the bottom. The water is being pumped through pipes and a temporary ditch to a pond in Esther Simplot Park.

After installation of the fill material is completed, the pond will be refilled. The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is monitoring the project.

Quinn’s Pond will be closed during the entire 8-10 week project. The Greenbelt will remain open during the preliminary draw down but will be closed in late February for up to 4 weeks to allow heavy equipment to move fill material currently being stored in Esther Simplot Park into the pond.

Construction of the Thurman Mill diversion replacement and other in-river improvements will occur in fall 2010, assuming fundraising efforts proceed smoothly.

For questions or comments, please contact Project Manager Wendy Larimore via email or Tom Governale, Superintendent of Parks, via email or (208) 384-4060, ext. 318.