Eagle Island State Park (Idaho)

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]

Eagle Island State Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map showing the location of Eagle Island State Park
Map showing the location of Eagle Island State Park
Location in Idaho
Map showing the location of Eagle Island State Park
Map showing the location of Eagle Island State Park
Location in the United States
LocationEagle, Idaho, United States
Coordinates43°41′13″N 116°23′05″W / 43.6868308°N 116.384848°W / 43.6868308; -116.384848[1]
Area545 acres (221 ha)[1]
Elevation2,524 ft (769 m)[1]
DesignationIdaho state park
Established1983
AdministratorIdaho Department of Parks and Recreation
WebsiteEagle Island State Park

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]

See also

References