Agency Details:

Our vision..."We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality."

Description:
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation has historically utilized its enabling legislation as its mission statement. Idaho Code Section 67-4219 provides that: 'it is the intent of the legislature that the department of parks and recreation shall formulate and put into execution a long range, comprehensive plan and program for the acquisition, planning, protection, operation, maintenance, development and wise use of areas of scenic beauty, recreational utility, historic, archaeological or scientific interest, to the end that the health, happiness, recreational opportunities and wholesome enjoyment of the life of the people may be further encouraged.'

How Do We Fulfill This Mission?
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation manages 30 state parks and 6 Advisory Committees. IDPR administers the registration programs for snowmobiles, boats and off-highway vehicles, and the permit program for the state's Park N' Ski areas. Money from those registrations and other sources goes to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs statewide for recreationists. IDPR hosts over 2.5 million park visitors annually--that's over 111,000 family camping units. Our slogan, developed during the formation of our agency vision, proudly states that we fulfill our mission by providing 'Today's Fun, Tomorrow's Memories.'

History:
Who Are We?
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation owes its existence largely to the vision of one man, Governor Robert E. Smylie. He looked into the future and saw a professionally managed system of state parks available for the enjoyment of all Idaho's citizens and visitors. He kept that vision in mind when Roland and Averell Harriman offered to donate their beloved Railroad Ranch to the state, persuading them to stipulate that a professional managing agency be put in place before the transfer of their generous gift would take place.

Others took up Smylie's vision and, when the opportunity presented itself, added recreation to the agency's charge to take advantage of the new federal Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1966. The agency became the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and through that federal program helped countless cities and counties across the state fulfill their own outdoor recreation visions in their individual communities.

Within the agency, the people who comprise its heart and soul carry the vision out every day. Approximately 300 seasonal staff members assist the 142 full-time employees in this noble pursuit. We can borrow the agency's acronym (IDPR) to describe our staff: Individuals Dedicated to People and Resources.

Contact person: Kathryn Hampton, Volunteer Services Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

5657 Warm Springs Ave. Boise, ID 83716 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

Last updated on October 8, 2009