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• Boise Parks & Recreation Home
• Parks & Locations
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• Marianne Williams Park

Marianne Williams Park is a 72-acre site located on the Boise River in East Boise's Barber Valley. The riverside park features grassy open areas, paved walkways, an extension of the Boise River Greenbelt, ponds, and an expansive view of the Boise Foothills. 

The site was donated to the City of Boise in November 2005 by Larry Williams in honor of his wife, Marianne.

Once the home of Barber Mill, a large-scale lumber operation, the park has been cleared of invasive trees and bushes and replanted with hundreds of trees and riparian vegetation.

Manicured grassy areas provide a scenic play space for children. The park also features two large ponds, paved walking paths, a gazebo, picnic shelter, restroom and benches.

Streams, ponds, wetlands, and forested riparian areas benefit wildlife, improve fisheries, and provide viewing opportunities. 

Now Open! Marianne Williams Park is another treasure in the city's Ribbon of Jewels lining the Boise River.

Future construction includes a bridge over Walling Creek, a large park entry sign and parking lot adjacent to Loggers Pond (near the East ParkCenter Bridge). These construction projects are pending the availability of funds.

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History

Remnants of Boise, a virtual tour of the city in support of Boise's Sesquicentennial (BOISE 150), features information and historic signs for the town of Barber, dam and mill located at what is now Marianne Williams Park. The virtual tour illustrates the last 150 years of Boise's growth and development through the themes of Community, Environment, and Enterprise.

http://www.boiseartsandhistory.org/history/remnants-of-boise/)

To view the Barber information, click on "Enterprise" and then "Barber."

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Greenbelt Path

The 1.8-mile Greenbelt path system in Marianne Williams Park has been expanded to run along the Boise River and Walling Ditch. The 12-foot-wide paved riverfront pathway was created in a 200-foot corridor to provide an outstanding recreational experience while protecting the habitat needs of trout, heron and wintering bald eagles.

A pathway honoring Dallas Harris provides a more contemplative walking-only pedestrian experience in the park.

The location and extension of the paved Greenbelt path promotes alternative transportation, encourages sensitive development within the Barber Valley, and contributes to the community's overall quality of life values.

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Marianne Williams

Marianne Williams, an Idaho native, moved with her husband, Larry Williams, and their young family from Midvale, Idaho to Boise in 1966.

Marianne Williams has dedicated her time and energies to her family, and to various civic activities benefitting the communities of the Treasure Valley. Mrs. Williams has volunteered her services to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, has worked to enrich the lives of senior citizens as the manager of a senior citizen complex, and along with her husband actively supports numerous other civic organizations, often electing to do so anonymously.

Together with her husband, Larry Williams, Mrs. Williams has played a vital role in the support of collegiate athletics at Boise State University, and has served on the Bronco Athletic Association Board of Directors.

Marianne has played an integral role in the growth and success of the various businesses that she and Larry have founded, including Tree Top Ranches and Idaho Timber Corporation.

Larry and Marianne Williams have three children: Cris Williams, Cory Williams and Cari Meyer.

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Wetlands & Wildlife

Marianne Williams Park presents unique opportunities to protect, reclaim and enhance the community's critical wetland and riparian functions. These functions benefit and advance wildlife values for many creatures, including blue heron, wintering bald eagles and deer herds, and trout.

The City is working closely to implement the vision for the park in conjunction with the family, Brighton Corporation and other interested parties and organizations.

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