I decided to spoil my dogs, Loki and Katie, rotten yesterday by taking them to work to meet my coworkers and go to the park. The problem was that Julia Davis Park and Ann Morrison Parks were inaccessible due to the Boise River flooding (a couple of women almost drowned in the undercurrents in the Boise River this week while walking the Greenbelt), and many of Idaho's wild birds were nesting in Ann Morrison Park and dogs were not allowed to go there.So I thought we could go to Veterans Park, which is located a couple of miles down the road from the Home Depot I work in. After Loki and Katie charmed all of my coworkers with their lovable personalities and were spoiled with spaghetti from a spaghetti feed there, we were off to the park to burn off the calories.
Veterans Park is located on Veterans Parkway in Boise's North End and faces 36th and State Streets, too. I missed the turn onto 36th Street for the parking lot, but I was able to turn onto Clover Street, park my car at a back entrance, and let Loki and Katie loose for their walk.
Boise Veterans Park is one of many parks throughout Idaho that is dedicated to the veterans of many wars that the USA was involved in through the centuries. It's a small park (78 acres) that has many facilities for picnics and a playground for children of all ages to play in. Veterans Park also has many trails that are connected to the Boise Greenbelt for walkers and their pets to walk on or bikers to use. There are many canals and waterways to observe the waterfowl that inhabit the area, but my little angels, Loki and Katie, decided to take their first swim of the season in the water, and I was stuck with two wet, stinky dogs for the ride home. There are signs posted on the water's edge saying no swimming or wading, but Loki and Katie thought that excluded them. Luckily we were not caught by the squirrel patrol (park patrol), who were said to have been on duty nearby!
Veterans Park is also home to several war memorials, including the first Prisoner of War Memorial in the USA, a memorial to Idaho's Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, and a Korean War Memorial honoring veterans of "The Forgotten War," that are worth a short stop to observe and remember those who sacrificed so much.
Veterans Park is open all year-round from sunrise to sunset. Make sure you keep your dogs near you and leashed in case there is trouble, as many vagrants spend time in this park drinking cheap beer and hanging out. Loki and Katie greeted a couple of the vagrants, and they seemed harmless, but just be careful. Many of the picnic facilities and a small amphitheater are available by reservation for parties and weddings if desired.