History

For Tom and Julia Davis, parks represented loveliness, social harmony, community pride . . .
"Once in Chicago, Julia and Tom, Jr., wasted no time making their way from the busy center of Chicago to the "White City," so called because the fair's exhibit halls and buildings were mostly white, well coordinated as to height and proportion, and surrounded by gardens, pools, pleasant walks, and lovely views...The fair's square mile of loveliness was a potent contrast to the city of Chicago, which was grimy, dark, noise, polluted, and not particularly safe ...Cities, it seemed, might be places of beauty and social harmony. They did not have to be dark and dirty...The contrast between the White and Black cities of Chicago had given rise to a movement to beautify and soften cities all over the United States, and [Julia and] the Columbian Club had carried its flag into Boise."

- From Tom and Julia, Some Good Place, Susan Stacy, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For Boiseans throughout the last century, Julia Davis Park has represented family gatherings, nature's beauty, and history in the making . . .
“We came here when I was a child and had picnics by the rose garden because my grandmother was fascinated by the roses.” – Sid Tate

“I think it was about 1926 or 27, my mother made a picnic and my parents took my two brothers and I to the park. After eating lunch we looked over the fence at the river. A small bi-plane landed on a dirt strip where BSU now sits. The pilot got out with a bag of mail. A man in a car handed him another bag mail and the plane took off in a cloud of dust . . . It was the beginning of air travel. The pilot wore a helmet and goggles. The plane had an open cockpit.” – Leo Wissel

“The park had a significant impact on families. There were few outlets for them at the time. The Kiwanis had their Independence Day breakfasts in the park and there were band concerts and kids running around with flags.” – Byron Johnson

“In the 1920s and 30s people were concerned about germs and how they spread disease. At that time there were people who lived in camps up and down the river. Many were single men, but there were families with children. There was a wading pond in the park with a fountain in it that children loved to play in. My grandmother was worried that children from the camp would contaminate the water with germs when they played there. She saw to it that the pond was filled in and my mother was angry with her because she believed that it was the only bath the camp kids got.” Beverly Nichol

Julia Davis Park: The Second Century - A Community Partnership

A group of volunteers - the Julia Davis Centennial Coalition - worked with the City of Boise to produce the Julia Davis Park Centennial Celebration in June, 2007. Members of the coalition also provided input and support for a nation-wide architectural competition resulting in the current renovation plans for the park. That same coalition helped conduct community focus groups and gather the input of the park “partners” - organizations and museums housed in property adjacent to or within the park property. They recognize the value of the renovations to the park as they rely heavily upon its verdant acres for community gatherings and event.

Today, we work toward completing Phase I renovations to the flagship park of Boise as a signature project.