New park planned in Moyie Springs
Photo by TONIA BROOKS The new city park in Moyie Springs is almost ready for play.
Photo by TONIA BROOKS The Moyie Springs City Park has been a joint effort of collaboration between community entities in getting it finished.
Photo by TONIA BROOKS The retaining walls will add a finishing touch to the entrance to the park.
MOYIE SPRINGS — The Moyie Springs community and outlying areas now have a recreation destination closer than driving to the county fairgrounds park.
The new park is almost complete and should be finished within another year.
“There are a few extra pieces of equipment that will be put in, and some railing needs to be installed,” said Dennis Weed, director of Boundary County Economic Development.
“The idea started with High Five about two years ago where they wanted a park for the kids, there is nowhere east of the city for kids to play on,” Weed said. “It took a while to find a place to put the park, and finally it was decided to put it behind City Hall.”
In late July, the City of Moyie Springs began the building process and partnered with the Friends of Moyie Springs non-profit group on this park project aimed at helping to improve the community.
The Blue Cross of Idaho’s High Five Grant supplied $15,000 toward the park build.
The High Five Grant was created by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health to help try to combat obesity. They do this by helping communities with funding for projects that are specific to the needs of the individual communities that apply.
The grant stipulates that any project using grant funds must be available to and benefit the community at large. The goal of these grants, described by the Blue Cross of Idaho, is focused at being dedicated to building a healthier Idaho.
“For the folks out in the area, it is a great asset for the community,” Weed said. “Some community children have begun playing in the park, they can use it.”
In addition to the grant, and the non-profit help, many community members and local businesses came together and donated time, energy, funds and much needed help in a variety of ways.
“Dennis Weed was instrumental in getting this park done,” said Donna Wilson-Funkhouser, the City Clerk for Moyie Springs.
Twenty-eight community residents, and eight businesses, are credited for helping to develop the Moyie Springs City Park.
“All of the equipment is in, the chips are in, and the next part is getting the driveway in for the Americans with Disabilities Act people,” said Weed. “Gravel will also be put down.”
“Next year, we will be doing the grass,” said Wilson-Funkhouser. “Tim Ball and Brenda Ball with Horizon Landscape, are helping with landscaping; he [Ball] brought his skid steer out and helped with the rocky soil.”
While the park is still in stages of construction, Weed said that members may use it.
“The park will be done in hopefully a year from now, that’s when everything will be in,” said Weed. “It will be very similar to the Boundary County Park and the Fairgrounds.”
The City of Moyie Springs City Park is located behind the City office at 3331 Roosevelt in Moyie Springs. More information may be obtained by contacting Dennis Weed at 208-627-2762 or Donna Wilson-Funkhouser at 208-597-5937.