Eagle Island State Park is a public recreation area on the southwest outskirts of the city of Eagle, Idaho. The state park covers 545 acres (221 ha) that are bordered by the north and south channels of the Boise River. The park's recreational facilities include swimming beach, picnic area, equestrian trails, and a water slide.[1]
History
The grazing land where the park stands was purchased by the state in 1929 and used as a penitentiary farm until 1977, when the site was turned over to the Idaho Department of Lands.[2] In response to a poll concerning disposition of the land in the local newspaper, the Land Board voted to set aside the property to be managed as Eagle Island State Park.[3] The park was dedicated in 1983.[1]
In his 2006 State of the State Address, Idaho governor Dirk Kempthorne envisioned a Central Park-like future for Eagle Island,[4] which was followed in 2010 by talk of disbanding the parks department he had formerly headed.[5][6]
Activities and amenities
The park offers a snow tubing hill that run typically from Thanksgiving to April 1 with skiing and snowboarding as well. The park in the summer has more than 5 miles (8.0 km) of equestrian trails, non-motorized boating, horseshoes, picnicking, swimming, water slide, volleyball, fishing, 18-hole disc golf course, and a zip line.[1] A Sportsman's Access area offers fishing opportunities along the river.[2]
^"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."
