В парке Spaulding Ranch в Бойсе открыли новые доступные тропы и станцию для мойки урожая

BOISE — A 20-acre park on Boise’s West Bench is continuing to expand its pathways along with an emphasis on urban agriculture. On Thursday, the city unveiled Spaulding Ranch’s new accessible pathways and a produce wash station that will support crop harvesting on site, according to a press release. The improvements total $1.5 million. “Spaulding Ranch is a special place, and watching it come to life, serving thousands of west Boise residents is exciting,” Mayor Lauren McLean said. Owned by the city of Boise, Spaulding Ranch has been used for communal farming and stands as a reminder of the area’s agricultural roots. The space has been utilized for farmers markets and hosts educational programming. The produce wash station is nearly 1,600 square feet and will support ongoing agricultural activities. This includes programs like the University of Idaho’s Harvest Heroes, which teaches veterans how to farm. The added pathway connects the ranch to Cole Road and Capital High School, “expanding access to a unique community space centered on agriculture, education and Boise’s farming history.” Continuing the expansion, construction is slated to begin this fall for the Tuttle-Spaulding pathway that will connect the park to Milwaukee Street. This builds onto Boise’s Pathways Master Plan, which promotes accessible routes to get to work, school and more. “The new pathways weave seamlessly around the growing fields, and I love seeing kids safely biking to and from school through this unique park,” McLean said. “This project is a great example of our vision to support park and pathway connections to Boise neighborhoods through thoughtful design and collaboration.” Acquired by the city in 2016, the ranch is also used as the city’s pumpkin patch and the West Bench Farmers Market. Among its 20 acres is a historic home and barn that the city hopes to rehabilitate in the future. The ranch was originally a homestead founded in 1896 by Almon and Mary Spaulding that spanned 100 acres. In its newest chapter, it is used for food education and community. “Spaulding Ranch is a special addition to Boise’s park system, and it’s our 102nd developed park, offering something truly unique on the West Bench,” Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle said. “The ranch brings together recreation, education and Boise’s agricultural heritage in a way you won’t find anywhere else in the city, and we are excited to watch its impact grow.”