Date: Ongoing

The Park at Expo Idaho transforms a former horse racing track into a vibrant, multi-use public space that integrates the spaces of the park with the adjacent Expo Idaho, enhances ecological restoration, and provides multi-generational recreational opportunities. Located along the Boise River and the popular Greenbelt trail network, the park provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance urban biodiversity while offering inclusive spaces for play, community, and learning.

At its core, the park restores the site’s connection to the Boise River floodplain, reversing decades of disconnection caused by development. Hydraulic and topographic interventions reintroduce historic watercourses, create wetland habitats, and provide flood storage, all while boosting the site’s biodiversity and improving water quality. These interventions support both the natural environment and the park’s diverse recreational programs.
 

Key features of the landscape design include:

The Lowlands: A 17-acre restored floodplain with over 1.4 miles of stream channels that reintroduce historic watercourses, enhance biodiversity, and provide critical flood storage. Trails and boardwalks guide visitors through wetland and riparian habitats, offering immersive nature-based experiences.
The Ridges: Inspired by Boise’s mountain ranges, these landforms frame the park’s perimeter, providing elevated views and a gateway to the Expo fairgrounds. The Ridges were constructed using soil excavated from the Lowlands, ensuring a sustainable approach to earthwork.
Nature Playground: A multi-sensory play environment inspired by the Boise River’s riparian landscapes. Features include log scrambles, boulder gardens, and misting areas, designed to encourage imaginative, open-ended play for children of all ages. Distributed throughout are spaces for caretakers to relax and connect to others.
All-Wheel Sports Garden: A skate park designed for users of all skill levels, integrating a range of skate features into riparian woodland planting. The garden also features shaded seating areas and overlooks.
The Park at Expo Idaho demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform urban spaces into destinations that celebrate natural systems and community vitality, creating a lasting legacy for the Boise region.

Team Members:

Marlon Blackwell Architects, Horrocks, Inc., Rio ASE, Ecosystem Sciences, Great Ecology, California Skateparks, Studio Ludo, Pros Consulting, Dharam Consulting, TJK Consulting Engineers, Plan North, Baer Design Group, LLC, Atlas Technical Consultants, Kittelson, TAG

Website: https://www.porturbanism.com/projects/the-park-at-expo-idaho

Quote: PORT’s work emerges from a belief that the public realm is the most important and consequential space in the contemporary city. It is the essential, multifaceted system upon which high-functioning, healthy cities rely.