Public lands

Abstract

In an interview with Troy Reeves on July 20, 1998, Alice Dieter discusses her time as a member of the Parks Board, recollection of the creation of the Greenbelt and Pathway Committee, and development of public recreational land throughout Boise in the 1960s and 70s. She describes the early discussions and actions of the Boise Department of Parks and Recreation Department to purchase land for open space initiatives and how the Greenbelt plan evolved beginning with the Atkinson Report.

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the activities of Betty M. Foster, the founder of the Save Castle Rock fundraising committee. Materials are largely textual, comprising correspondence, fliers, and clippings. Also present in the collection are photographs and a vinyl banner.

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on June 19, 1998, William “Bill” Onweiler discusses his involvement the creation of the Boise River Greenbelt. He describes how he ran for Boise City Council on a platform advocating for more open space, and how his interests and those of Gordon Bowen and Arlo Nelson led them to begin advocating for a greenbelt. He recounts how he sold the idea of the Greenbelt as a way to increase development and property valuation in the downtown district, and how he traded...

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on August 11, 1998, Bob Whipkey discusses his involvement with the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee beginning in the late 1980s. He describes how his employment with the Simplot Company led to his involvement; he wanted to help provide public access to the riverfront through privately held property which he was able to do with the committee by supporting access agreements through Simplot Company controlled property. Bob touches on his memories of the public...

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on June 16, 1998, Cheryl Korn discusses her involvement with the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee from 1971-1980. She notes the accomplishment of the Quinn Robbins area, testing different pavement types, and how city leadership was generally supportive of the committee’s recommendations. She describes the Greenbelt as a living legacy, her disappointment in the development near the river, and how the community and city’s commitment contributed greatly to the...

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on July 30, 1998, David Jones discusses his involvement with the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee beginning in 1997. He describes how the duplication of reports from the various committees to the Parks and Recreation Department led to a consolidation of the work and disbanding of the committee, his support of the decision to create the Capitol Bridge underpass, and his overall positive opinion of the work the committee accomplished. He notes the discussion...

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on July 29, 1998, Dede Wilhelm discusses her involvement with the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee from 1996-1997. She describes her first impressions of the committee, her view of why it disbanded in 1997, her view of the greenbelt currently, who she thinks is largely responsible for advancing the project, and the problems she thinks will need to be dealt with in the future including competing use patterns and the potential need for security patrols. Dede...

Abstract

In an interview with Troy Reeves on June 23, 1998, Don Belts discusses his involvement with the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee beginning around 1982. He describes how his background as a landscape architect was a contributing factor to applying for a position on the committee. His impression of the committee, how it operated, and some of the issues it ran into including development at BSU and attempts to balance access with wildlife habitat management are discussed.

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on June 18, 1998, Earl Reynolds discusses his involvement with the creation of the Boise River Greenbelt through membership in the Capital City Kiwanis Club beginning in the 1950s and serving on the Greenbelt Committee in 1970 and again in the early 1980s. He describes how Gordon Eichmann, Glen Cline, and himself worked on creating a greenbelt plan and small improvement projects through their affiliations in the Kiwanis Club and the Planning and Zoning...

Abstract In an interview with Troy Reeves on July 15, 1998, Bert Cleaveland discusses his involvement with the Greenbelt and Pathways Committee in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He recounts his first impressions of the committee, the individuals he credits with pushing the project forward, his thoughts on the progress of the Greenbelt project, and how the Boise River Greenbelt compares to others he has visited. He discusses the Lake Harbor section, building of the Ram Restaurant, BSU section, and...