John Chapman , June 15, 1998

In an interview with Troy Reeves on June 15, 1998, John Chapman discusses his involvement with the Greenbelt Committee beginning in the early 1970s. He recounts his appointment to the committee as a representative of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He explains some of the first steps of land acquisition involving condemnation lawsuits to acquire parcels across from Ann Morrison Park, how the Greenbelt Ordinance was necessary to keep property owners from building on the riverbank, and his satisfaction with the committee’s role in creating Shoreline Park where a cement factory had been. He describes the committee’s challenge in convincing Garden City to get on board with the Greenbelt Plan as well as gaining public and property owners’ support. John also describes his pleasure in seeing the Boise River Festival, how the support of Earl Reynolds, Gay Davis, Ken Pursley, and the Boise City Council contributed to the success of the project, and the organization of several committee members to purchase Barber Dam through a non-profit to preserve the wildlife habitat east of it.