The Future

Amphitheater, Spray Park & Walking Bridge

What’s hot right now in recreational fun?! Spray parks! They have become one of the most popular additions to any park throughout the country and we believe having one on the greenbelt will be a perfect addition. We plan to have a custom designed water park that will deliver adventure, visual excitement that matches the landscape and imaginative fun. With virtually zero water depth, a spray park is a safe water play area for all ages. We are even looking into the possibility of being able to turn it into an ice skating rink in the winter. The focus will be on kids and family fun. Funding for this project is in the beginning stages, but the goal is to have it installed by 2015.

An amphitheater is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances. Imagine sitting on the river bank with your family and friends enjoying a concert or performance in front of an amphitheater that sits partially out over the river. The sound carries beautifully and the lovely scenery enhances the whole experience. Future plans for an amphitheater along the greenbelt for just such an experience are part of the long range goals for the downtown.

A proposed plan to build a pedestrian walking bridge across the waterfalls, connecting the west and east sides of the river, is part of the original vision for the Memorial Drive improvements. Studies were done and all agreed it could be done, but the cost would be such that it too is a long range goal. This incredible bridge concept will stay in the plans and work to find funding will move forward.

Downtown Murals

Downtown Idaho Falls has adopted a long-range goal to revitalize the historic district with a belief that a healthy downtown is crucial to our heritage, economy, and civic pride of the entire community. In an effort to highlight downtown heritage, add visual interest, educate people about the community’s history, and draw visitors downtown, Historic Downtown Idaho Falls plans to embarked on a program to have murals painted on the sides of several buildings.

The murals can be one of our greatest assets downtown because they are visible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A healthy vibrant stimulating district is an asset to the entire community. Businesses and industries look at all aspects of a city when making decisions about whether to locate there. The physical appearance of a district indicates a great deal about how well the city is protecting its investment and the investments of its citizens, and how local residents feel about their city. When murals are well done, it will be a delightful public art attraction that will help draw visitors to the downtown cultural district.

In the future each building with a mural would feature a plaque explaining the history of the building and why the mural is significant, as well as the names of any benefactors. A colorful map that includes information about the artist, as well as photographs of each mural and information about each site would available to guide visitors through the downtown.

Wayfinding Signage

Wayfinding signage provides valuable information at optimal decision points, helping everyone find their way through our city. Effective wayfinding signage provides vital information from the outer most geographic point, to the destination. Being able to find your way around a new town is vital for tourism and brings business growth. Our goal is to design a wayfinding signage system that will result in a minimal number of signs, while providing for effective identification and wayfinding to ensure that our visitors and locals are able to clearly and easily navigate through the city. Currently there is not a consistency in the signage to help people quickly notice a directional sign. The IFDDC has been working on this project and has plans and design ideas ready to share with the city. The city council has approved a budget for the Parks and Rec director Greg Weltzel to work with us on wayfinding signage, not only the downtown, but throughout the city.

We are excited to see this project moving forward. A visitor to our town, who was walking the greenbelt, asked “Where is downtown Idaho Falls?”  It seemed to be an odd question at first, but as you look toward the east from the river there is no “You have arrived!  This is Historic Downtown Idaho Falls!” message or sign.  We are working with the city to change that by adding signage at the corner of the  Memorial Drive and B Street intersection. Something very eye catching and inviting will be designed and installed, so that as you stand by the river and look east you know – This is where Downtown Idaho Falls is! Our goal is to have something installed during the summer/fall of 2013.