Eagle Island State Park

Eagle Island State Park is on the outskirts of the City of Eagle in the state of Idaho approximately 14 miles west of the state capital, Boise. The park is a day-use park with swimming beach, a picnic area, more than five miles of equestrian trails, and a waterslide. The Park is bordered on the North and South by two forks of the Boise River. A Sportsman's Access area offers excellent fishing opportunities along the river.

History

The park was created in 1977 when the Idaho Department of Correction turned over the land that had been previously used for the Eagle Island Prison Farm to the Idaho Department of Lands. In response to a poll concerning disposition of the land in the local newspaper, a year later the Land Board voted to set aside the property to be managed as Eagle Island State Park.

Future

During his 2006 [http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/speech/sp06/sp_SOS.html|2006 State of the State Address] Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne declared his vision of the park's future:

"Eagle Island State Park along the Boise River, with our rapid population growth, will become as valuable to the Treasure Valley as Central Park is to New York City. But unless we make the investment, Eagle Island’s potential will not be realized. My proposal adds needed improvements: campgrounds, equestrian trails, and more greenbelt along the Boise River."

tatistics

From [http://www.idahoparks.org/parks/eagleisland.aspx State of Idaho Parks & Recreation] :

:Area: 545 acres (2.2 km²)

:Elevation: 2,724 ft (830 m)

:Facilities: Flush Toilets, Group Shelters, Waterslide

:Trails: Equestrian, Hard Paths, Nature Trail

:Boating: Non-Motorized

:Activities: Horseshoe Pits, Picnicking, Swimming, Volleyball Area, Fishing

External links

* [http://www.idahoparks.org/parks/eagleisland.aspx Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation]

* [http://www.visitidaho.org/thingstodo/attractions.aspx?attractionid=30747 Idaho Division of Tourism Development]
* [http://www.swita.org/tcattractions.aspx/attractionid/30747/eagleislandstatepark Southwest Idaho Travel Association]
* [http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/geog/publrecr/text/stlndmn.htm Idaho State University Digital Atlas]