Pocatello Parks and recreation

Department of Parks and Recreation

The department of parks and recreation in Pocatello ( [http://www.pocatello.us/] ), [Idaho] is a government agency that is responsible for managing fourteen parks in Pocatello as well as providing recreational activities to the community. There are many places to go and programs that are available to its citizens.

The department is in charge of fourteen parks; an aquatics center in Ross park; band performances; a cemetery; a community recreation center, a Fort Hall replica; golf tournaments and programs; seasonal recreation which includes a variety of sports such as soccer, golf, softball, and others; a zoo; team sports; and the Portneuf greenway.“The Parks and Recreation Department strives to serve the Pocatello community with quality recreation programs, well – maintained parks, trails, and beautiful open spaces. Our aim is to help bring meaning, purpose, and pleasure to people’s lives.”"Parks & Recreation." Parks & Recreation. TM National Recreation and Parks Association. 16 Feb 2008 [http://www.pocatello.us/Parks_Rec/Parks_Rec.htm] ]

History

Pocatello has a rich history that date back to the early west. The city itself was founded in 1889 and has been considered the “Gateway to the Northwest.” (Welcome to the city of Pocatello) The city of Pocatello was named after a Native American chief. In recent years, Pocatello has become a growing community that could be the fourth largest city in Idaho. With this growth the city has implemented the department of parks and recreation to beautify and diversify the community as well as giving its citizens access to many parks and recreation.

Location

The main offices for the department are located at 144 Wilson St Pocatello, ID 83201. It is off of Oak Street. The offices are located in the community recreation center building. Once you walk in the building, they are to your left. [Google_map link: [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=144+Wilson+St,+Pocatello,+ID+83201&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.489543,59.238281&ie=UTF8&ll=42.878763,-112.452664&spn=0.007563,0.014462&z=16&iwloc=addr] ]

Parks

There are fourteen parks run and managed by the Pocatello Department of Parks and Recreation.

Alameda Park is located on Wayne & Pine.This park has a covered pavilion with around 10 picnic tables, two barbecues, public restrooms, a playground, a sand volleyball area, horseshoe pits, two ball fields, a walk path and is accessible to electricity hookup.

Sister City Park is located on Pocatello Cr Rd on Marigold.This park has a covered pavilion with around fifteen picnic tables, a barbecue, electricity hookups, water hookups, portable restrooms, a playground area, horseshoe pits and a jog trail.

Upper Ross Park is located on S. 5th west side just passed Fredrigil Rd. This park has a covered pavilion with around fifteen picnic tables, two barbecues, electricity hookups, water hookups, restrooms, a playground area, a volleyball area, and a new frisbee golf course.

Pleasureland Park is located on 2700 So. 2nd.This park has a covered pavilion with about ten picnic tables, a barbecue area, electricity hookups, water hookups, a portable restrooms—one of which is handicap accessible, a jungle gym and swing in the playground, and ball fields.

Raymond Park is located on Riverside & Carson. This park has a covered pavilion with around fifteen picnic tables, one barbecue, electricity hookups, water hookups, public restrooms, a playground area, a volleyball area, horseshoe pits, and there are four tennis courts nearby.

Centennial Park is located on Grant & Idaho Street. This park has a covered pavilion with around fifteen picnic tables, a barbecue, electricity hookups, water hookups, restrooms, a playground area, a volleyball area, and has ball fields that are close by.

Ok Ward East is located on 1400 W. Quinn Rd. This park has a covered pavilion with around twelve picnic tables, a barbecue, electricity hookups, water hookups, restrooms, a playground area, a volleyball area, horseshoe pits, ball fields that are nearby, and a jogging walkway.

Ok Ward West is located on 1400 W. Quinn Rd.This park has a covered pavilion with around twelve picnic tables, a barbecue, electricity hookups, water hookups, restrooms, a playground area, a volleyball area, horseshoe pits, and ball fields that are close by.

Lower Ross Park is located on 2700 So. 2nd. This park has a covered pavilion with around twenty picnic tables, a barbecue area, electricity hookups, water hookups, portable restrooms, a volleyball area, horseshoe pits, a pool on the other side of the road, and ball fields on the other side of the pool.

Simplot Square is located on S. Arthur. This park has a covered pavilion, electricity hookups, and a fountain.

Band Shell is located on 2700 S. 2nd. This park has noise ordinances which apply and has benches.

Tydeman Park is located on Custer & N. 8th Ave. This park has a covered pavilion with about three picnic tables, electricity hookups, portable restrooms, and ball fields that are close by.

Ammon Park is located on Ammon Street. This park has a covered pavilion with around four picnic tables, a barbecue, portable restrooms, and a playground area.

Empire Park is located on 18th & Davis Dr.3 This park has a covered pavilion with around four picnic tables, a barbecue, water hookups, portable restrooms, and a playground area with swings. (WEB)

Recreation

Community recreation center

There is a community recreation center in Pocatello. The center is located on [144 Wilson Street.] Inside of the center there is a swimming pool, a weight room, saunas, a steam room, a eucalyptus room, two racquetball or handball rooms, a basketball court, a dance studio, a tumbling room, and a climbing wall. There are many programs offered by the center. They teach swimming, dance, tumbling, karate, and so forth. The center also just received a grant and is going to replace some of the equipment in the weight room. There is a fee to join the centers activities. There is a fee waiver to children between the ages of five through sixteen who meet certain income and eligibility criteria. The building is also available to organizations which involve the community. The offices of the department of parks and recreation are also inside this building. Outside of the building is a small grass covered park with trees that shade several picnic tables.Pocatello, Idaho. Department of Parks and Recreation. Pocatello Parks and Recreation Guide. Pocatello: 2007.]

Aquatics Complex

The aquatics complex is located next to Lower Ross Park and is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. The hours are from noon to eight at night seven days a week. The complex is designed for all ages. It has a zero depth pool for children as well as a large pool for children and adults. Life guard classes are also available through classes offered by the complex. Admission fees vary depending upon age. The complex is surrounded by a park, the Pocatello zoo, playground equipment, a volleyball court, a skate park, and horseshoe pits.

Pocatello Zoo

The Pocatello zoo is located at 2900 so. 2nd Ave. It is next to the aquatics complex and Lower Ross Park. The zoo has a trail that can be followed while seeing the animals that are inside the zoo. The zoo contains bison, elk, deer, cougars, ducks, turkeys, a grizzly bear, goats, sheep, turtles, and so forth. The zoo offers special programs that range from classes to family nights. There is even food that can be given to some of the animals. The zoo also provides special events that can be found by calling [phone].

Disc Golf

There is a new nine hole disc golf course that is located in the Upper Ross Park. There are different levels of difficulty on the course allowing both beginners and intermediate players the opportunity to play at their skill level. This course is free to the general public.

Activities

The department also has an animal shelter where you can volunteer to walk dogs, groom animals, help in the office, socialize with the animals, help with their adoptions raise money, clean, and care for the animals of the shelter.

Adopt a flowerbed

There are several flower beds in the parks of Pocatello that are available for adoption. This is a volunteer program that is available to individuals, families, groups, civic organizations, and businesses. To adopt a flowerbed you can contact Dennis Payne, the parks supervisor at [phone].

Fort Hall replica

The Fort Hall Replica is a replica of the Fort Hall. It is available to visit with an admission fee. The replica is located above the Upper Ross Park and is accessible by 5th Ave.

pring 2008 Activities

During the spring, indoor rock climbing is available to children grades one to six. Rock climbing activities begin in April. There are also fun runs that are held from May until September. The department also hosts a main Salmon raft trip.

Portneuf Greenway

In Progress in Pocatello is the Portneuf Greenway. On Saturday June 21st, 2008 there will be the [River dance Festival] . “ The purpose of the Portneuf Greenway Foundation is to help establish and improve the Portneuf Greenway as a community resource and to encourage restoration of natural areas along the Portneuf River to enhance the quality of life for residents of Pocatello and Bannock County.” [Nicholl, Greg. "Upcoming Events." Upcoming Events. Portneuf Greenway Foundation Inc. 15 Feb 2008 [http://www.pgfweb.com/] ]

ports

There are many sports that the department offers throughout the year. The sports are categorized by seasons. During the winter kids basketball, adult men’s basketball league, adult coed volleyball, and an adult women’s basketball league is offered. During the spring, adult coed soccer, adult golf, a junior golf program, adult softball, junior Olympics softball, and Knothole Baseball and softball are offered.

References

3: "Parks, Locations & Amenities." Parks, Locations & Amenities. TM National Recreation and Parks Association. 12 Feb 2008 [http://www.pocatello.us/Parks_Rec/Documents/Park_Shelter_info.htm] .

5: "Welcome to the city of Pocatello." 4 Mar 2008 [http://www.pocatello.us/index.htm] .