Barber Park - Floating the Boise River
by GranpaVee on 06/02/08 at 6:58 pm
Floating the Boise River, from Barber Park Bridge to Ann Morrison Park, was an annual event for those of us who grew up in the early 60’s. Back in those days, there wasn’t much more than a place to pull your car off the road.
Us kids, were relegated to buying large semi-truck tire inner tubes from local tire shops or service stations. It’s hard to believe nowadays, but for a buck or a buck and a half, you could purchase an old inner tube have it patched and filled with air, ready for a cool river adventure.
Today, you can rent a tube at Barber Park or purchase any of the numerous vinyl rafts, kayaks or other float devices from local stores.
Back then we would have one of our parents drop us off at an dirt pull-off next to the Barber Park Bridge. We would hike down a gentle slope to a small sandbar and launch ourselves on the river. (Been a while since I floated the river, but seems to me it took 2-3 hours).
The river has many weirs or small falls that you tube over on your way downriver, giving you a pretty good thrill.
In my day, there was an old pump house with a flat roof that we could jump off of. There was also a very large tree with a long heavy rope. We would swing out over the river and surprise unsuspecting rafters with a cannonball splash!! (I hear these are long gone now, but ask one of the local kids…there may be other locations).
Word of Warning…It’s best to stay near the center of the river and away from the edges. Overhanging branches and hidden logs or trees near the river banks, have given many an unsuspecting rafter some trouble!
At the end of our float, sun burnt kids on wobbly legs, would gingerly wade to shore at Ann Morrison Park-where we plopped down on cool grass to await our parents. Sometimes they would bring lunch, other times we would rush home for our next adventure!
Last week, I decided to revisit one of my old haunts. Taking Eckert Road South, I wound my way around and up to the Barber Park Bridge. A sign at the entrance told me what facilities were available.
I made a right turn onto a paved road-a far cry from the gravel pull-off of my day. The first thing I noticed was a very nice shaded pick-nick area with tables and BBQ grills next to the river. Continuing West, I noticed a new building off to my right with a large circular driveway. I believe this is the dropping off point for cars and buses shuttling river rafters.
Driving West a bit further, I passed a very nice wooden structure-which looks to be a new entrance to the parking area, adjacent to the new Ada County Events Center. (A note: I bussed some third graders to the event center several months ago. They had a really good seminar on Bald Eagles and Owls and showed us some of these amazing birds).
Towards the North side of the events center is a large parking area. From there you can access some trails, that wind around the many large tree’s where Bald Eagles nest along with other birds. Last week however, the area was flooded by high water from spring run-off. Come mid to later summer, the place will be abuzz.
