By Dave Southorn

Boise is a special place, in part because of the outdoor opportunities we have right in town along or near the Boise River.

Twelve parks within walking distance of the river are referred to as the “Ribbon of Jewels,” each one named for a prominent woman who has contributed to the city’s pride.

Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway said that each park offers something different while honoring the women that have shaped Boise, adding that “each has a unique personality that reflects the family and the matriarch of the family.”

Alta Harris Park: A long-gestating project that sits on 20 acres of currently occupied land in southeast Boise, construction has not yet been completed. Harris, along with her husband Dallas, ran a large cattle ranch that still operates today and partially where the Harris Ranch residential area now stands.

Ann Morrison Park: The 150-acre park was named in honor of the wife of Morrison-Knudsen construction firm co-founder Harry Morrison. It includes unique amenities like a disc golf course and softball fields. It has been the site of many Boise events, including the annual Fourth of July fireworks and the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic.

Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park: A popular spot to swim and fish, the park surrounds the 22-acre Quinn’s Pond. Quinn, who moved to Boise in 1910, was active in church activities, along with the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage and Saint Alphonsus Hospital.

Bethine Church River Trail: A 1.6-mile unpaved walking trail that runs along the Boise River, it is a great place to relax or see some beautiful foliage. Church, an Idaho native, was married to former Idaho Senator Frank Church and was highly regarded for her conservation efforts.

Dona Larsen Park: This park sits on the site of the former East Junior High, where Larsen once served as a physical education coach in addition to her work organizing girls’ summer sports programs. Boise State University’s track and softball teams use the park, which also has a football stadium for Boise School District teams.

Esther Simplot Park: A 55-acre park next to Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park, it was dedicated in 2016 to honor the Boise Opera Company co-founder. The park includes ponds that can be used for fishing, swimming, or even kayaking.

Golda Harris Nature Preserve: Alta Harris’s sister-in-law, Harris was described as a welcoming person who helped those less fortunate and was an important community member. The preserve is on three acres of riverside land near Warm Springs Avenue.

Julia Davis Park: On 90 acres near downtown Boise, the park is home to Zoo Boise, multiple museums, two pavilions, and a rose garden.

The city’s oldest park (1907), it reflects the kind nature of many of its people in Davis, who came to Boise just after the Civil War. Davis was known for her hospitality to travelers bringing their wagons across the West.

Kathryn Albertson Park: A natural oasis surrounded by a growing city, the 41-acre park has many bird and wildlife watching areas along paths surrounded by mature trees and water. Albertson’s husband, Joe, opened his first grocery store in Boise. Albertson and her family are still renowned for their support of higher education.

Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park: A longtime Boise resident and University of Idaho graduate, Armstrong won three Olympic gold medals in road cycling. The city purchased the 28-acre park in 1927 and named it in Armstrong’s honor in 2016. A large playground and reservable picnic area are big draws.

Marianne Williams Park: A strong supporter of finding ways to enrich senior citizens’ lives, Williams also has been a major supporter of Boise State athletics. The 72-acre park, with paved walking paths and two large ponds, was donated in 2005 by her husband, Larry, in her honor.

Sue Howell Park: Howell founded Northwest Lineman College in 1993 and has lived in east Boise for more than two decades. The park in her name is proposed to cover 16 acres in southeast Boise with plans to include a children’s nature trail, playground, and open play areas.