The Park at Expo Idaho: An Outdoor Oasis Along the Greenbelt

Exciting news for Ada County and Boise! If you haven’t heard yet, construction has begun on The Park at Expo Idaho, an incredible 50-acre park planned to replace the former Les Bois racetrack and its associated facilities. This $32 million dollar investment, funded by The American Rescue Plan Act, will transform the area and be a true highlight of the Treasure Valley. The plans include 3+ miles of scenic trails surrounded by $10M of native plants being added to the grounds, along with expansive open green spaces, sports fields, community event areas, a food truck park, a live music venue, and a 5-acre skate park. Ada County’s senior project manager, Josh Brown, noted, “There is nothing like it in the northwest.” 

This absolutely incredible addition to the thriving Boise parks scene shows the city’s continued commitment to community-focused spaces, nature preservation, ecological uplifting, and accessible outdoor recreation. Highlights of this outdoor oasis set along the greenbelt include: 

1. Multiple designated soccer and baseball fields
2. 3+ miles of scenic trails with meandering streams
3. Expansive open green spaces for community use
4. 5-acre skate park designed by the company responsible for the skate venue at the Paris Olympics
5. A food truck park for local vendors and live music 
6. Art Deco-inspired pavilion with shaded seating and bathrooms open year-round
7. A 64-foot zipline with enough weight capacity for adults to enjoy, as well as kids.
8. “The largest swing set west of the Mississippi,” featuring a design that nods to the old rails of the Les Bois race track.
9. Two play structures of different sizes with opportunities for climbing, slides, and other measures that give kids “the right amount of risk, but with safety involved.”
10. Rolling topography with natural landscaping. Ada County currently has more than $10 million worth of native plants growing in 15 nurseries around the Mountain and Northwest to populate the park.

It will be a hub for recreation and connection, designed with nature, sports, and community gathering in mind. With construction underway, the project is set to be finished in 2026. Once the park is completed, it will become a destination not just within Ada County but throughout the greater region. We are anxiously awaiting an opportunity to explore and partake in this next-level outdoor space!