BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) permanently transferred management authority for Mallard Park to the City of Caldwell on Feb. 4. The approximately 30-acre tract of BLM land has been under a renewable lease for the purpose of constructing the park since 2007. The transfer took place during a meeting of the Caldwell City Council.
Located 5 miles south of Caldwell on 10th Avenue, the popular park offers walking paths, picnic shelters, an accessible playground, restrooms, views of Lake Lowell, an 18-hole disk golf course and a nearly-completed amphitheater.
“This project is a great example of the BLM being good neighbors and working with city partners by taking a small, isolated tract of land that was difficult for us to manage and turning it into a recreational asset for the community," said BLM Four Rivers Field Manager Brent Ralston.
“We are grateful for the partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, which has allowed the City of Caldwell to create this outstanding open space amenity for the residents of our community and Canyon County," said Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas. “Mallard Park is a well-utilized and significant gathering place and will be used by families and individuals for years to come."
The City of Caldwell had been leasing the BLM land under a Recreation and Public Purposes lease, which requires renewal every three to five years. In transferring management of the land to the city, Caldwell will hold it in perpetuity for a nominal cost, as long as the land use remains within the original agreed-upon purpose of development of a municipal park.
For more information, contact Michael Williamson at (208) 384-3393.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
