Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park |
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Boise Municipal Park | |
![]() Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park
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Type | Urban park |
Location | 500 S Walnut St. Boise, Idaho |
Area | 28 acres (0.11 km2) |
Created | 1918 |
Operated by | Boise Parks and Recreation |
Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park is a fun and green space located in Boise, Idaho. It's a special kind of park called an urban park, which means it's right inside a city. This park is about 28 acres big, which is like 21 football fields! It sits right next to the beautiful Boise River in the western part of the United States.
The park is looked after by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department. It has many cool things to do, like places for picnics, courts for playing bocce ball, and a playground for kids to enjoy. The park is about 2,700 feet above sea level, which is quite high up!
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Park History and Evolution
This park has a long and interesting history. It was first built in 1918 by a group called the Boise Commercial Club. They leased the land from the Boise School District. When it first opened, it was called the Boise Tourist Campground. It was a place where people could stay overnight while traveling.
From Campground to City Park
In 1938, the campground closed for a short time. But it soon reopened as a day-use park, meaning people could visit during the day but not camp overnight. At this time, its name changed to Boise Municipal Park. It became a popular spot for families and friends to gather and relax.
Baseball and Beyond
For many years, a part of the park was used for baseball games. From 1939 to 1963, there was a baseball field called "Braves Field" where minor league baseball teams played. Minor league baseball is where professional players develop their skills before joining major teams. After the baseball field was taken down, the area became the main office for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Honoring an Olympic Champion
In 2016, the park was given a new name to honor a very special person: Kristin Armstrong. She is an amazing athlete from Boise who won three Olympic gold medals in cycling. Renaming the park after her was a way to celebrate her incredible achievements and inspire others. Today, Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park continues to be a wonderful place for everyone in Boise to enjoy nature and have fun.