Gordon Bowen , August 5, 1998

In an interview with Troy Reeves on August 5, 1998, Gordon Bowen discusses the creation of the Boise River Greenbelt and the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee. He reads from written remarks regarding the Atkinson Plan, a government funded planning document for the City of Boise, which laid out the feasibility of building a publicly owned pathway along the Boise River based on a similar concept in Greenbelt, Maryland. He describes the roles Arlo Nelson, City Planning Director, and William “Bill” Onweiler, City Councilman, played in starting the project and when the plan was originally presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on December 28, 1965. He notes the other key players that helped on the project, his memories of attending committee meetings, how the setback was decided, and how he and his staff at the Parks Department worked with the committee. Gordon also recounts his strongest memory of the Greenbelt, the public’s reaction to the project, and his current thoughts on the Greenbelt.