Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
5301 N Maple Grove Rd
The Wetlands Group will be working on the water outflow
channel at the reserve for the next two weeks (starting April
10th). They will place rock, finish sculpting the creek and
finish planting the area.
Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve is the site of an innovative stormwater
treatment project featuring sand filters, storm water piping,
porous pavement parking lots, a restroom, an access bridge,
pathways, educational kiosks and other associated work.
Located at the intersection of Maple Grove and
McMillan roads, Hyatt is a haven for birds, animals and people.
A former gravel pit, the 54-acre site consists of a 28-acre
wetland surrounded by undeveloped land - making it a significant
pocket of wildlife habitat in the midst of established residential
neighborhoods on the West Bench. An adjacent 10-acre parcel has
been purchased from the Meridian School District by the Ada County
Highway District with the expectation that it will be managed by
the City of Boise.
With construction completed, new rules will be enforced November
15th, 2012 to protect prime wildlife habitat in the reserve.
- To protect wildlife, please observe them from a distance.
- Dogs and bicycles prohibited.
- Fishing, boating, swimming and wading are prohibited.
The rules are outlined in a management plan
created in 2000 with input from hundreds of neighbors,
officials and agencies.
In December 2008, the City of Boise's Public Works
Department received a $1.3 million EPA grant to create an innovative stormwater
treatment pilot project at the site. Since then, Public Works
staff members have been gathering water quality data and developing
a plan for treating urban stormwater runoff and re-using the
treated stormwater in the existing wetland and wildlife
sanctuary.
The project demonstrates appropriate methods for decentralized
stormwater treatment using sand filtration technology in addition
to construction of vehicle parking with porous materials that mimic
natural hydrologic conditions.
For more information about the project, please contact Jim
Wyllie, Boise Public Works, via email or phone at
208-384-3925.
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/
Park Ambassador Program
Park Ambassadors serve liaisons between park users and the Boise
Parks & Recreation Department (BPR). They report maintenance
needs, promote proper use of the park, and share information with
park users. In addition, they may share their unique hobbies and
skills through special tours and programs. Park Ambassadors commit
to visiting their park regularly for one year. All Ambassadors must
pass a criminal history background check and attend an orientation
prior to being accepted into the program.
If you are interested in applying for the Park Ambassador
program, go to http://bit.ly/bprvolunteers.
Public Art
HaBATaT by Boise Artist Mark Baltes is a
public art sculpture and bat habitat commissioned specifically for
the Hyatt Wetlands. It is a large steel sculpture inspired by a
folded paper origami bat positioned in flight. Sculpture
measures 10'6 across, 47" high. The sculpture is
elevated 13 feet above the ground on a single steel support
orienting its center of gravity for optimum stability. It extends
17' above grade at its highest point, and is 10' to the ground at
its lowest hanging point. Incorporated within the sculpture is
cavity containing a multi-chamber roosting structure for indigenous
little brown and big brown bats.
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.