Boise Liberty Park Breaks Ground on $2M Accessible Playground Project

BOISE — Boise leaders broke ground Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, on more than $2 million in improvements at Liberty Park, the 9-acre neighborhood park off Emerald Street on the Central Bench. The City of Boise says construction is underway to replace the park's aging playground, add a permanent restroom and upgrade seating, landscaping and pathways at 520 N. Liberty St. in Boise, Idaho.

KTVB reported that Mayor Lauren McLean joined city officials at the groundbreaking. Idaho News 6 also covered the start of work at the park, which the city says was built in 1975.

What's planned at Liberty Park

According to the city's news release, the project replaces the existing playground — the oldest in Boise Parks and Recreation's inventory — with new equipment that includes accessible play elements and surfacing. Additional work covers updated park seating, landscaping, a custom playground communication board and a new permanent restroom.

Residents chose the playground design through a community vote. The city says the winning proposal from Garrett Parks + Play received more than 51% of the vote and uses a red, white and blue theme for Liberty Park. Planned features include inclusive swings, climbing structures, an accessible ramp, shade structures and bonded rubber surfacing for a more even grade between the playground and nearby concrete. Fencing will enclose the playground area, which the city said neighbors had requested to help keep children safer while they play.

Funding and schedule

The City of Boise says the planned improvements total more than $2 million. Funding includes impact fees and capital dollars approved by the Boise City Council, plus a $627,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant awarded by the State of Idaho. Impact fees are collected from nearby growth and development to help pay for park infrastructure.

Stroth General is the contractor. The city expects the project to be finished by summer 2027, with KTVB reporting a June 2027 completion target. The old playground has already been removed, and fencing closes the playground area and surrounding portions of the park during construction. Baseball fields at Liberty Park remain open. The city asks residents to stay outside fenced construction areas.

Liberty Park sits within a 10-minute walk of about 1,090 residents, near St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center on the Central Bench. Mayor McLean and Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle both tied the project to building more accessible outdoor spaces for Boise families.

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