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City reports nearly 1,800 acres preserved since last levy; balance in open-space fund is now modest
Summary
Parks staff summarized land acquisitions and improvement projects funded by the city’s Clean Water and Open Space levies and said roughly $1 million remained in the account after recent projects; staff highlighted acres preserved, pathway connections and neighborhood park acquisitions.
City Parks staff presented a status report on the Clean Water and Open Space levy account, detailing land acquisitions, trail and park projects funded since the levy program began and the remaining balance in the levy fund.
Doug (city parks staff) told the council the most recent levy passed in 2015 and the city’s advisory committee recommends projects and acquisitions. Since the 2015 levy, staff said the city has preserved almost 1,800 acres in the Boise Foothills and acquired three flatland park parcels in recent years (Shamrock, Wellford and Fry Street) to address “10-minute walk” park access gaps.
Doug said the levies and related investments have preserved land and supported pathway and trail projects including the Peaslee Street connection, the Settlers Canal Path dedication, Cartwright Trailhead improvements and a Spalding Ranch pathway connection planned to start construction later this summer. He said the city estimates levy-driven acquisitions converted roughly $19 million in levy spending into about $43 million of estimated market value at the time of purchase (he noted that present market value would be higher than those earlier estimates).
Doug said the levy-funded work also expanded 10-minute-walk access for roughly 10,000 residents over the last five years. He told council members the fund balance after recent projects is small — he estimated about $700,000 in the account currently, expected to be “just over a million” after residual accounting adjustments from under-budget projects (he said approximately $400,000 would be returned from projects that came in under budget).
Council members praised Parks’ stewardship of levy funds and noted the value of land-banking strategically located parcels. Council President Nash and other members urged continued creative funding efforts to preserve foothills properties when opportunities arise. The mayor said she would consider bringing a recommendation forward on sustaining the program going forward.
Doug said staff provided the council a full list of every project and acquisition since 2001 and would supply details on request.
