Hundreds of thousands of native grasses, trees, and plants are going into the ground at Ada County’s newest green space, with the 50-acre Park at Expo Idaho set to welcome the public on October 23, according to kivitv.com. The project, built on a portion of the old Les Bois Park property along the Boise River and Greenbelt, was financed entirely with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds — no local property tax dollars went toward construction.
Restoration Expert Calls Project Unprecedented
Steven Paulsen, who heads Twin Falls-based Native Roots, is spearheading the planting operation alongside Franz Witte crews. His company has worked on prairie and wetland restoration projects throughout the United States, yet Paulsen told KIVI this particular site stands apart from anything he has taken on before: “I’ve restored prairies and wetlands all over the country, I’ve been doing it a long time — this is unique, it’s very special.”
This past summer’s heat presented real challenges, making it harder for grass plugs to take root and survive. With cooler temperatures arriving, the crews are entering what Paulsen describes as an intensive two-month push to finish the bulk of the planting. The scope is considerable — “Almost a million plant units are going to be put in the ground during that time frame and that’s a big effort,” he said.
Trails, Skating, and a Nature Playground Await Visitors
The park is designed to marry active outdoor recreation with ecological restoration. When it opens, visitors will find over three miles of trails winding through native plantings, as well as a nature playground, an all-wheel skate area, a roller derby rink, and a food truck plaza. The site’s placement next to the Boise River and Greenbelt provides a natural backdrop well suited to the project’s conservation-minded goals.