MAYOR ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION GRANT FOR CANCER SURVIVORS PLAZA AND ENHANCEMENTS IN JULIA DAVIS PARK

Cancer survivors and their families will have a new gathering place in Boise thanks to a $1 million grant awarded to City of Boise by the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation. The grant will help pay for the construction of a cancer survivor park/plaza, shelter, restroom and parking lot in the east end of Julia Davis Park.

Boise Mayor David Bieter made the announcement Feb. 18 at a meeting of the “Julia Davis Park: The Second Century Coalition,” a group of park advocates led by Diane Davis Myklegard. Myklegard is a descendant of park founders Tom and Julia Davis.

Bieter thanked local cancer survivor Larry Fisher, who suggested the city apply for the grant last summer. “We appreciate Larry’s commitment to this project,” said Bieter. “Because of his vision and the support of the Bloch Foundation, one of our city’s most beloved parks can provide solace and hope to those battling cancer.”
 
Myklegard and members of the Julia Davis coalition worked with Boise Parks & Recreation to identify a suitable location of the plaza/park, which will feature:

• Eight life-sized sculptures of figures passing through a maze of cancer treatments and success
• Positive Mental Attitude Walk with 14 inspirational plaques
• Road to Recovery with seven plaques with recommended strategies for recovery.

The grant award totals $1 million, with $900,000 for construction and a $100,000 endowment for maintenance.

The Bloch Cancer Foundation (http://www.blochcancer.org/) seeks to build a park/plaza in every state. Currently, the foundation has provided funding for projects in 23 cities in the United States and Canada. Each park/plaza is designed to fit the unique character of the city and the park in which it is located. 

Site design will be coordinated by Toby Norton, a Boise Parks & Recreation landscape architect, working in conjunction with City of Boise engineers and Landmark Design Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah. Landmark was awarded the shelter design work as part of a competition held in conjunction with the Julia Davis Park Centennial Celebration in 2007. Design work will be funded by the Julia Davis coalition and contributions to the Boise Parks & Recreation Heritage Trust account.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

Media contacts:
Mollie Holt, Superintendent of Administration, 384-4060, ext. 317
Toby Norton, Project Manager, 384-4060, ext. 338
Amy Stahl, Community Relations, 384-4060, ext. 304 or 869-0637 cell