Idaho
Ada Riggs Park?: Ada County, Expo Idaho considering multiple names for new park
There is power in a name. The Ada County Commissioners and Expo Idaho are trying to find the right one for their newest park.
The Ada County Commissioners met with county staff, Expo Idaho Director Bob Batista, and CLM Marketing and Advertising Director Becki Woodbury on Wednesday to discuss potential new names for The Park at Expo Idaho.
The county has been working on the park for several years and plans to fund the majority of the park with American Rescue Plan Act money. As previously reported, concepts for the park include restoring natural ecosystems on the park grounds, having multiple raised levels, or “ridges” within the park, multi-use pathways, and playgrounds for children. In a press release Friday, the county announced construction on the park could begin as early as December.
While it has been colloquially called The Park at Expo Idaho, an official name has yet to be set.
“There was a point where we had some discussion about the name of the park,” Batista said to the commissioners. “And I brought to you the fact that we have a marketing company that does this all the time in different forms and fashions and done a lot of work for us and I thought it was a good exercise to at least explore some other possibilities of a name”
Main contenders
A shortlist of eight potential park names was discussed in the meeting.
The Park at Expo Idaho was the first on the shortlist. This is what the park has been called for a while now. Woodbury described it as “straightforward” “functional” and “utilitarian.”
Explorer Park was the first alternative on the shortlist of names CLM and Expo Idaho explored. Woodbury said it captured the park’s purpose to foster “a spirit of adventure and discovery among visitors.” She and Batista said they also liked how “Explorer” feeds well into “Expo.”
Blue Ribbon Park was next on the list. Woodbury said this name was chosen because it gives a good nod to the history of the park. The land where the park will stand was previously a horse racing venue, and each year competitors at the Western Idaho State Fair come to Expo Idaho in hopes of bringing home a blue ribbon for their fair entries.
Preservation Park was suggested as a name that reflects the ecological mission of the park in restoring once-lost ecosystems to the area.
In line with many major parks in the area that get their names from prominent women figures in the community, Ada Riggs Park was also suggested as a potential name for the park at Expo Idaho. Ada Riggs was the daughter of Idaho Territorial Legislator H.C. Riggs, who was one of the founders of Boise. She is the namesake of Ada County, the jurisdiction that will run this park.
Another family name was used in the idea for Kent Park. Expo Idaho sits on the former Kent Homestead. There is also a Kent Street named after the family nearby. Woodbury said this name would both be a nod to the geography and history of the area.
The name River Ridge Park was suggested as a way to describe the defining geographical features of the park
And finally, the last name on the shortlist was Expo Outdoors, which CLM’s presentation materials said would allow for a “seamless” integration with the rest of the Expo Idaho campus, it would also tie into the Expo Idaho branding.
“Those are just some of the names that came to the top,” Woodbury said. “We felt like we needed to have a really deep exploration of at least consideration before it gets finalized.”
Dozens of other names were considered for the park but did not make the shortlist, such as Les Bois Park. Woodbury and Batista said they considered it but believed the direct tie to the horse racing track could re-upset people who are sad the racing doesn’t exist anymore and the time of Les Bois had “run its course.”
When asked about a needed timeline for the park name, Ada County Senior Project Manager Josh Brown said the county is in the middle of preparing construction documents for the park. The documents have to be ready in the next two months.
The commissioners did not discuss their thoughts on the names very much during the meeting and said they wanted to get the Western Idaho Fair Board’s input on the names before making a decision. Batista said he would put the discussion on the board’s June agenda.
The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.
There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.
Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.
READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.
Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.
36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025
We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.
Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
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