Summer Events Open to Ages 12 and Over

The Ross Park Aquatic Complex (RPAC) has scheduled its 2010 summer “Splash Dance” series, and this year’s kickoff event is Thursday, June 17, 2010.

These special after-hours events are held from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and individuals ages 12 and older are invited to attend. There is always a live DJ at each event for great music, as well as other fun activities. Admission is $5 per event, which includes the waterslide. “What better way to spend an evening than swimming and dancing,” said Tyler Butler, Interim RPAC Manager. “These events are a lot of fun and the highlight of the summer.”

Additional “Splash Dances” have been set for June 24, July 8, July 22, July 29 and August 5. For more information, call 235-5412.

* NOTE: Family Living Fun Day will go on rain or shine! The pie eating contest will be at 2:30 p.m.

By Jenny Hopkins

jhopkins@journalnet.com

    POCATELLO — Lower Ross Park is the place to be June 5 for family fun, food, games, prizes, learning and more!

    The Idaho State Journal’s Family Living Fun Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the band shell at the park in Pocatello. Events are free and food will be available for purchase.

    Make sure you stop by the Journal’s booth to register to win six tickets to Lagoon and a free night in the Hampton Inn of Layton. Also, kids visiting the Journal’s booth will be able to get their faces painted for free!

        New this year will be a shuttle service to and from the park. Pocatello Regional Transit will pick people up from the area near the Pocatello Animal Shelter at Upper Ross Park. The transit buses will also be picking people up along the way.  

    Also new this...

POCATELLO — Free lunches for children younger than 19 will be available in the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District this summer.

    Also having free lunches will be Marsh Valley School District No. 21 and Holy Spirit Catholic Church for youths ages 1 to 18.

    The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 lunches will be held June 1 through Aug. 6, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at these locations: Alameda Park, Caldwell Park, Hawthorne Park, OK Ward Park, Pocatello High School, Raymond Park and Upper Ross Park, all in Pocatello, and in Chubbuck at Bicentennial Park.

    Marsh Valley School District will offer their free lunches at these times, dates and locations: Buddy Campbell Park, 580 W. Main, Lava Hot Springs, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., June 7 through July 30, Monday through Friday; Woodland Park, Center and Third, Downey, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., June 7 through Aug. 6, Monday through Friday; Arimo City Park, Woodland Avenue,...

Want to help the city in planning for future improvements to Ross Park? Over 600 residents in Pocatello will have that opportunity by participating in a community-wide survey in the next couple of weeks.

Ross Park is the “gem” of the Pocatello park system. This park has over 145 acres of available land, of which approximately 95 acres are currently developed. It is the home of the Pocatello Zoo, the Ross Park Aquatic Complex, Fort Hall Replica and the frontier town, Pocatello Junction. Many community events are held regularly in the park, including the Idaho State Journal “Family Fun Days,” the Pocatello Marathon, the Pocatello Pump, numerous company/group picnics, municipal band concerts during the summer months, a number of horseshoe tournaments, “Splash Dances” at the pool, a variety of programs and special events hosted by the Pocatello Zoo, Pocatello Triathlon and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, even though the park offers a variety of leisure time amenities and opportunities, there...

This annual event brings tons of kid's activities, family resources, food and more!

Rain or shine!

More information will be announced soon!

Are you going to go?

The upper area of the park also features a covered picnic shelter and playground equipment.

There are worn trails through established trees and lava rock connecting the lower and upper parks.

PROS:Easy to find

CONS: Not a lot for the little ones to do.

For more see the post on Lower Ross Park.

Photos coming soon!

What do you think of this park? Leave your comment below.

Located off Ammon Street in Pocatello, this park can be seen from Interstate 15. However, since this park is located in a sort of ravine, the road noise is hardly noticeable.

The playground equipment in this park was remodeled with in the last few years. It features modern playground equipment including a "zip line" feature, swings, a covered picnic area and TONS of grassy space. Established trees provide lots of shade. The giant hill on the south side of the park is popular with sledders in the winter months.

PROS:

This park has off and on street parking. There is a long, narrow, gravel drive to a make shift parking lot at the rear of the park.

Not next to any busy streets.

Lots of space to run and play. Great park for flying a kite because there is a large, open, grassy area in the middle.

CONS:

Port-o-Potty bathroom.

May be harder to locate.

Photos coming soon!

What do you think of this park? Leave your comments below.

Alameda Park is one of the most popular parks in Pocatello and takes up an entire city block in between Wayne, Randolph, Pine and Poplar Streets (see map).

This park features two swing sets, including several small child seats, a dome shaped jungle gym, a large slide, a "Big Toy," a paved walkway that makes a loop through the entire park, many picnic tables, a covered picnic shelter area, two baseball diamonds, an area for volleyball and plumbed bathrooms.

PROS: This park is easy to find and located near many restaurants and shopping. With many features, there is something for everyone here. Plumbed bathrooms with sinks is a plus! Well maintained and clean. Large trees provide plenty of shade and dogs on leashes are welcome.

CONS: No off street parking.

What do you think of this park? Leave your comments below.

Jensen Grove park is just off of I-15 along the Snake River. In the summer, it’s a popular place for boating, swimming and picnicking.

The “lake” is filled with water from the Snake River using water rights purchased by the city with help from local businesses and residents. In the winter, it’s drained. There’s a boat ramp and a designated area for swimming. There’s also a volleyball net on the beach for the more active family.

Along the lake is Bingham County’s Greenway, a well-used paved trail that extends to Rose Pond. The entire loop is more than 9 miles.

In the park area, there are plenty of picnic tables with shade and a 9-hole disc golf course. In the front of the park is a cement skate park designed several years ago by area teens.

To get to Jensen Grove, take Blackfoot Exit 93 off of Interstate 15 and turn...