1000 N AMERICANA BLVD
Ann Morrison Park is one of the "Ribbon
of Jewels," a large urban park located on the Boise River near
downtown Boise.
The park property was purchased by Morrison-Knudsen Co. founder
Harry W. Morrison in honor of his late wife, Ann Morrison, and
built in 1959 by Morrison-Knudsen employees.
The 153-acre park features a
distinctive spray fountain, gardens, Candy Cane Playground, tennis
courts, lighted softball diamonds, soccer, cricket and football
fields, and a picnic pavilion. These amenities provide many leisure
opportunities for visitors. Downstream from the pedestrian bridge,
the park features riverside access that is popular with
anglers.
New outdoor gym under
construction in Ann Morrison Park
A new outdoor gym with 15 pieces of durable new fitness
equipment is under construction on the Greenbelt in Ann Morrison
Park thanks to a donation from Bodybuilding.com.
The new equipment manufactured by Triactive will be installed on
a 1,400-square-foot pad west of the sand volleyball court. The
circuit includes a leg press and rowing machine, sit-up bench and
other weight-resistance equipment.
The contribution, which is valued at $80,000, includes
installation and maintenance for five years.
Uses of the equipment, which is accessible year round, will be
free.
Each piece of equipment will feature instructions. A simple
workout plan with fitness tips will be posted on informational
signs.
Installation is expected to be completed in early June 2013.
The fountain will be operating from Memorial Day weekend
until mid September.
A brochure
is available to lead you on a self-guided tree walk through
the park.
Colin
Mansfield created Boise Parks
for his Eagle
Scout project, with the express intent of providing information so
that you can more completely appreciate our parks, and their
amazing history.
Smoking is prohibited except in a designated area in the
southwest corner of the park near the duck pond.
Ann
Morrison
"First Lady of Construction"
April 26, 1884-Oct. 25, 1957
An Idaho native, Ann Daly was reared in the gold mining district
known as the Boise Basin. At an early age she moved with her family
to Boise where she graduated from high school, studied shorthand,
and became a secretary in the Statehouse.
In February 1914, Ann met Harry at a dinner party hosted by his
sister, a neighbor of Ann's mother. While still in their 20s, Harry
and Ann had a whirlwind courtship and in December of 1914 they were
married.
Even before they married, Ann was visiting construction projects --
beginning with the Three Mile Falls Dam, Morrison Knudsen's first
dam project near Hermiston, Ore.
Ann established her role in the young firm first as bookkeeper and
later writing her recollections: "Those Were the Days" in The
Em-Kayan magazine. Ann remained active in the company as well as
Harry's constant companion for 43 years. She died of leukemia in
October 1957.
Birding
This location provides opportunities to see birds and other
wildlife.
If you are interested in learning more about birding in Idaho
and the Idaho Birding Trail, see http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ibt/
Cricket
The field will be used on Sundays, mid-April to mid-September,
is located in the south/west corner of the AM soccer fields. Their
concrete 'pitch' was installed between soccer fields 1 & 2.
Contacts: Greg Moran, 208-861-0321 & Pratap Murali,
208-841-1448 (President of the Club)
Deer Sculpture
Morrison Foundation honors 50-year celebration of
Ann Morrison Park with Deer Sculpture
A sculpture of a doe and two fawns was commissioned
by Mrs. Velma Morrison and placed on the north side of the fountain
in the center of Ann Morrison Park. The piece was dedicated on July
4, 2009, during the 50-year celebration of the park.
Artist Bernie Jestrabek-Hart of Caldwell crafted the sculpture
from flat sheets of 10-gauge aluminum shaped into 3-dimensional
forms.
Boise landscape designer Gerhard Borbonus created a base of
sandstone boulders landscaped with native grasses, bushes and
annual flowers.
A bronze plaque at the base of the sculpture explains the
origin of the park:
How did your park come to be?
As a young man, co-founder Harry W. Morrison ran a team of horses
and scrapers to build his company into what would be the world's
largest construction company, Morrison Knudsen. His wife, Ann,
helped him achieve this goal. After her passing, his dream was to
build a beautiful park for families to enjoy. Ann Morrison Park was
donated to the city of Boise on June 7, 1959.
Disc Golf
Located in Ann Morrison Park, the disc golf course features 19
holes of challenging play in the summer. The course is moved for
the winter, beginning of November through the end of
March, and reduced to 18 holes.
History - The original 9 hole course was purchased and installed
in 1997 through the generous fundraising efforts of the Gem State Disc
Golf Club.
Public use of the course exceeded both the department and club's
expectations and several modifications were completed by the club
during the first year of operation to limit turf wear. The Gem
State Disc Golf members have been very active throughout the
course's existence in both maintenance and improvements.
In 2002 the Gem State Disc Golfers conducted another fundraising
campaign and installed the second 9 holes.
Dog Off-Leash Area
Essentially, all areas east of the fountain are available for
off leash use from November 1 - Februrary 28, Sunrise to Sunset, in
Ann Morrison Park. Areas from the fountain to the west are
restricted to prevent user conflicts with the Winter Disc Golf
Course. Signs with maps identifying the approved
area are installed by November 1 each year and taken down
upon completion of the allocated off-leash time (February 28).
Dogs and the owners should be sure to follow the City's leash
and pick-up ordinance going to and coming from the designated
off-leash area, and follow the Dog Off-Leash
Area Rules and Regulations while visiting the park.
Greenbelt Parking
This park has parking spaces with Greenbelt access.
Horseshoes
Number of Horseshoes courts: 3
There are 3 horseshoe pits available at a first-come,
first-serve basis.
Playground
Swingsets: yes
Age group: 2-12
The playground surface is wood chips.
Reservations
Ann Morrison Park has a shelter may be reserved for events,
picnics and ceremonies.
Online reservations are NOT available for Ann Morrison
Park.
Restrooms
Park restrooms are available at this park. Restrooms are
now open. Park drinking fountains are now operational.
For a list of restrooms and portable restrooms that are
available year around in parks and the reserves, click here.
Soccer
Number of Soccer fields: 8
Turf Type: Grass
Ann Morrison is home to soccer fields for youth and
adults. Map of the fields
. Keep in mind that field locations may possibly change on a
yearly basis.
Fields are scheduled and reserved for local soccer organizations
and partners by BPR. Usually weekdays or early evenings are
available for drop-in use (first-come, first-serve).
Softball
Number of Softball fields: 2
Turf Type: Dirt
Fields may be reserved for practice in early spring before
league softball season begins. Scheduled softball games and
Invitational Softball tournaments run April through October, Monday
through Friday evenings for league softball games and weekends for
tournaments.
Tennis
Number of Tennis courts: 2
Tennis courts may be reserved by contacting:
Boise Parks and Recreation
208-608-7680
One court must be open for public use at all times.
View our Rules
& Regulations for Tennis Court Use
Volleyball
Number of Volleyball courts: 1
One sand volleyball court is available at a first-come,
first-serve basis.
Walk 150
Maps created for the city's Walk 150
project provide distances for walking paths in 17 parks throughout
the city. Check out the mileage for Places to Walk in this park at:
http://www.walk150.org/places-to-walk/
A Master Plan is a concept drawing
illustrating recreation facilities and landscape features planned
for a park site. It does not necessarily represent what
amenities are currently in a park.