Pocatello Parks & Recreation Department

Play Often, Live Better!

Fall and winter bring holidays and seasonal changes. Leaves change color and fall to the ground, followed by snowfall and chilly temperatures.  Simply because family summer vacations and picnics are now fond memories doesn’t mean there are not more memories to be made or fun to be had.

I recall one fall when two little girls, barely big enough to hold a rake, visited their neighbors and offered to rake their leaves. In addition to raking, there was a lot of giggling and some jumping into piles of leaves, followed by more raking. These two good-deed-doers had such a great time, they repeated the activity one day every fall for several years. Every time they got good exercise, had fun along the way, and always felt great about themselves afterward.

One of the best parts of being Mayor is learning about the many and varied ways that our citizens help one another and enjoy the amazing place in which we live. What are your favorite traditions for fall and winter? With all that our area has to offer, it may be the perfect time to explore something different and create new traditions. Have you signed up for a team sport or taken  a class at the Community Recreation Center? Have you hiked or biked one of the dozens of trails in and around Pocatello? The East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Ski Center makes it easy for beginners to try out snowshoeing or cross-country skiing by offering equipment rentals.  If you love it, annual passes are available.  One of the best ways to enjoy winter and snow is to find a sport or activity that suits the season. Whatever you choose to explore, I encourage you to find ways to include others, serve someone else, and spread some joy. They will benefit and so will you!
 
 As always, I am proud to be your Mayor.
 
 Brian C. Blad
 Mayor of Pocatello

Message from the Director

Dear Neighbors:

Welcome to the City of Pocatello’s Fall 2022/Winter 2023 Parks & Recreation program brochure! The Fall & Winter seasons continue to be a great time to enjoy the outdoors. It is our hope that you, your families and friends will continue to Play Often and Live Better, by exploring the City’s many beautiful parks, open spaces, and facilities, as well as participating in some of the comprehensive array of program choices available.

Parks & Recreation staff are pleased to offer a wide variety of enjoyable and engaging recreational opportunities for community members of all ages. How about a good workout at the Community Recreation Center, followed by a yoga class and relaxing sit in the hot tub? Perhaps a late-season round of golf at the City’s Highland & Riverside public courses or some world-class trail hiking and biking at the City Creek Trails System? Maybe a youth or adult sports league, children’s dance class or private/semi-private swim lessons, or a cross country skiing and snowshoe adventure at our beautifully scenic Mink Creek Nordic Center facility is more your style? Whether your interest is in fitness and athletics, nature and the outdoors, or opportunities to learn new skills, all are invited to take full advantage of the many healthy lifestyle benefits that our programs and facilities provide.

In other exciting news, City of Pocatello Parks & Recreation has entered into a partnership agreement with Idaho Central Credit Union to provide construction resources for a new Community Splashpad Facility. The “Idaho Central Credit Union Community Splashpad” at OK Ward Park will provide approximately 2,700 square feet of play zone, including a variety of above ground and ground level features and associated mechanical, electrical, pumping, and filtration systems to meet water treatment standards, as well as an additional concrete pad area for parents & family members to gather, observe, and interact. Stay tuned for ground-breaking celebration details in Fall of 2022, with construction slated to begin in Spring 2023, and project completion ASAP in the Summer of 2023. A huge THANK YOU to Idaho Central Credit Union for helping the Parks & Recreation Department accomplish this wonderful amenity for the community!

The Parks & Recreation Department invites everyone to join us this Fall & Winter for all that Pocatello has to offer, and “Play Often, Live Better!”

John Banks
Parks & Recreation Director
City of Pocatello