Projects

The Park at Expo Idaho

The goal of this project is to revitalize 85 acres of disused horseracing track, stables, and parking lot into to a new county park, with approximately 50% of the park area directed toward ecosystem restoration and nature-based recreation. Restoration efforts are focused on floodplain reconnection, wetland creation, side-channel creation, off-channel aquatic habitat, and reestablishment of native riparian vegetation. The park will offer a unique, high-quality urban outdoor recreational and educational experience for Garden City and Boise, Idaho. 

Rio ASE has been leading the stream and floodplain restoration design on behalf of the project team, which is lead by landscape architecture firm PORT and supported by ecology firm Ecosystem Sciences. The stream and floodplain restoration includes removing 3 to 6 feet of fill throughout the floodplain and breaching a levee on the right bank of the highly confined and heavily modified Boise River. Additionally, the project will redirect excess irrigation water and stormwater runoff from the surrounding uplands, through new wetlands, and into a constructed side channel to improve water quality and to augment hydrology within the newly created riparian area. By evaluating the hydrology and developing a detailed 2D hydraulic model of the project area, Rio ASE was able to develop floodplain and side channel grading plans, enabling the Boise River to backwater into the park. This will further augment the hydrology for riparian vegetation and wetlands while also providing off-channel habitat for aquatic species such as native rainbow trout.

The Design Development phase was completed in February 2024, and Construction Documents are currently in development. Rio ASE assisted in permit production and developed a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) for submittal to FEMA. Construction is planned for 2025 and 2026, with potential future phases of development extending into 2027 and beyond.