Backers hope new park will be ready by August
Idaho Press-Tribune staff

NAMPA — A new football park for Nampa Optimist Youth Football players is becoming a reality as volunteers make significant headway toward completion this summer.

At Optimist Park, located behind Birch Elementary — the Vallivue School District’s new elementary — and near the Ridgecrest Golf Course, seven football fields will greet budding gridiron giants. Organizers hope the fields will be ready for practices this summer and games that run into the fall.

“We’re hoping to be playing on it this year. Football games start in August and September,” football committee spokesman Kenny Wroten said. “They’ll be playing football through October.”

With growing support from the community, and the helping hands of volunteers, the goal is coming closer to reality.

The park grounds have already been seeded and grass is growing. Gravel has been laid for parking lots.

The fields will be shared by 25 to 30 teams of children ages seven to 12. Seven- and 8-year-olds will play flag football and 9- to 12-year-olds will play tackle football. Both boys and girls can play football.

The complex is located in a city park. The fields will be available for public use during the off-season.

Visitors can access the park by traveling north on the 11th Avenue North extension or using Franklin Boulevard and turning east on Birch Lane.

Ken Wilson, coach and past commissioner of the football committee, said the effort has been spurred on by the donations of several local businesses.

But even with the outpouring of support, Wilson and Wroten added that help is still needed to complete the project.

The park’s Founders Club, which anyone can join, has a major sponsor with a donation from the Healthy Nampa Healthy Youth organization. But the club is still trying to raise money for buildings and other construction. Several levels are available.

Businesses and individuals can sponsor a football field or local businesses can offer discounts on their services or products as part of fund-raising efforts. And parents also can volunteer to coach or raise funds.

To offer your help to the effort or for more information, contact Wilson at 880-1099 or Wroten at 467-5797.