Meridian Parks and RecreationMeridian Parks and Recreation
Benefits of Parks and RecreationEconomic Benefits
In 2004, Idaho tourists spent $2.97 billion on lodging, food and tourism related activities.
Corporate CEO’s say that quality of life is the third most important factor in locating a new business.
A survey of 1,200 high technology workers in 1998 found that quality of life in a community increases the attractiveness of a job by 33 %.
A 2002 survey by the National Association of realtors revealed that 50% of the voters would be willing to pay 10% more for a house located near a park.
The National Association of Home Builders found that 65% of home shoppers felt that parks would seriously influence them to move to a community.
Benefits of Parks and RecreationHealth Benefits
Obesity and related conditions such as diabetes cost the U.S. $123 billion in 2001. (University of Virginia)
The percentage of youth who are overweight has more than tripled since 1970.
Creation of places for physical activity, such as parks, produces a 48.4% increase in the frequency of physical activity. (Sherer, 2003)
A study in October 2000 issue of The Physician and Sports Medicine found that if adults became physically active, the potential savings could be $76.6 billion.
Strong evidence shows that when people have access to parks, they exercise more. (Why America Needs More City parks & Open Space, Trust for Public Land, 2003)
Meridian’s Parks
Meridian Neighborhood Parks
Chateau Park
8th Street Park
Champion Park
Renaissance Park
Seasons Park
Kiwanis Park
Pocket Parks
Fire Station #4 Park
Generations Plaza
Centennial Park
City Hall Park
Reservation Information
Shelters are available to rent at the following parks:
Settlers Park
Storey Park
Tully Park
Bear Creek Park
Chateau Park
Champion Park
Seasons Park
Renaissance Park
Construction Projects
Settlers Village Square – Phase I of the Settlers Village Square project is planned to begin in 2008 and will include the green up of the area as well as tennis courts, horseshoe pits
and a picnic shelter.
8th Street Park Pedestrian Crossing – This new pedestrian crossing will cross the 5 Mile Creek, connecting 8th St. Park with the Bud Porter Pathway.
Kiwanis Park – This new park in south Meridian will get it’s finishing touches this summer with the installation of a playground and picnic shelter.
Settlers Park Splash Pad – New additions and upgrades to the splash pad at Settlers Park will make the feature even more fun and safe.
Heroes Park – Landscaping and paving around the existing parking lot area will be completed Spring. Future projects will build
restrooms, picnic shelters, and a playground.
Adventure Island Playground – The 4th and final phase of this amazing facility in Settlers Park will include benches, shade structures, climbing boulders, the Tree of Hope, and a sound
garden.
Future Parks
Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park – on the corner of Fairview and Eagle, this will be a 60 acre park built in association with the Meridian Town Center project.
William Watson Park – located in the Bainbridge subdivision off Ten Mile Road between McMillan and Chinden, this will be a 7-8 acre neighborhood park.
Unnamed Park – The City currently owns a 30 acre piece of land on Cherry Lane just east of McDermott. Some conceptual plans have been completed, but a final site plan has not been determined.
The City will wait until water and sewer access are available to start any construction on this future park.
Activity Guide
Spring/Summer Guide
Released in April
Fall Guide
Released in August
Winter Guide
Released in December
3 Guides Released Every Year
Activity Guide
Activity Guide classes include:
Youth and Adult Drawing
Adult Watercolor
Youth and Adult Horseshoes
Computer Classes
Snowshoe & Hike with a Ranger
Ballroom Dancing
Belly Dancing
Raft Trips
Preschool Fun
Baby Sign Language
Hunter Education
Scrapbooking
Senior Fit & Fall Proof
Metal Sculpture Art
Basic Winter Survival
Do It Yourself Plumbing Repairs
SSC Community Classes
Family Spanish
Relationship Classes
Kayaking
Teen Activities Club (TAC)
Who: All students at Meridian Middle School
When: Everyday after school 2:40-6:00pm
Where: Meridian Middle School Cafeteria
Why: To provide a safe and fun environment for our communities middle school aged youth.
What: Each day after school, our qualified staff members have a specific educational and/or recreational activity planned. These include science projects, field trips, guest speakers,
art, cooking, games, and community service projects…just to name a few!
Summer Camps
Sports Camp
Camp Mer-Ida-Moo
Outdoor Adventure Camp
Jump Rope Camp
Art Camp
Sports Leagues
Softball
Co-Ed & Men’s
Volleyball
Co-Ed, Men’s & Women’s
Basketball
Men’s & Women’s
Girl’s Fastpitch
Softball
Movie Night in Meridian
Every Friday during June, July and August Meridian Parks and Recreation sets up their HUGE inflatable movie screen at Settlers Park and invites the public to come enjoy a family friendly
movie for FREE!
Christmas Tree Lighting
Generations
Plaza
2nd Friday After
Thanksgiving
Barn Sour10k, 6k, 1 Mile Fun Run
Ideas For The Future
Meridian Community/Recreation Center
New Community Park south of the freeway
Interactive Online Park Reservation System
Summer Recreation Activities Fair
Adult Dodgeball League
How Can I Get Involved?
Give Us Your Feedback!
We want to know your opinion on current and future recreational programs and park amenities so please take our survey!
Meridian Parks and Recreation Public Input Survey
Donate To “Care Enough To Share!”
Give a Meridian child the gift of recreation who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate. The “Care Enough To Share” program is funded 100% from donations and is used to pay the registration
fees for a Meridian child in need.
Become A Parks And Recreation Instructor!
Do you have a talent or skill that you would enjoy teaching to other people? Meridian Parks and Recreation is always looking for instructors to teach new and exciting classes.
Volunteer At One Of Our Events or Programs!
Do you want to make a difference in the community? Help us make our programs the best they can be simply by volunteering your time. Become a mentor for kids at our summer camps or
help hand out water at the Barn Sour. Several opportunities are available.
Questions/Feedback
What programs, leagues, or events do we not currently offer that you would like to see available?
What facilities or park amenities do we not currently have that you would like to see available?
Meridian Settlers Park
Current Amenities
8 Ball Fields
5 Soccer Fields
Fishing Pond
Adventure Island Playground
Water Splash Pad
Walking Paths
Future Amenities
16 Horseshoe Courts
8 Tennis Courts
Community Plaza
Tully Park
Amenities
2 Ball Fields
Skatepark
Soccer Field
Large and Small Picnic Shelters
More Amenities
Playground
Walking Paths
Restrooms
Bear Creek Park
2 Ball Fields
Soccer Field
Restrooms
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Walking Paths
Amenities
Heroes Park
Amenities
30 Soccer Fields
Restrooms
Playground
Picnic Shelter
Walking Paths
Roller Hockey Rink
Storey Park
Amenities
Ball Field
Restrooms
Blue & Green Shelters
Playground
Drinking Fountains