Boise brings youth to sports.

The state may be known for potatoes, but Boise, Idaho, is now known for its incredible commitment to sports and recreation. Being the largest and fastest growing city in the state, Boise takes youth development, partnerships and fun sports programming seriously.

With 15,000 youth participants in various sports from baseball to soccer to football, the Boise Parks and Recreation Department believe in fostering fun first. Sports played just for recreational purposes outnumber those that are competitive because the department wants as many individuals as possible to play.

Doug Holloway superintendent of recreation, says that although some factions of the community will always want things to be more competitive, most people just want more recreational opportunities. "With this movement in the country to stay healthy, we want to take that a step further and promote healthy sports development," he says.

The department has already made huge strides in its focus on youth by becoming a magnet center city for NRPA's Youth Sports Initiative. Staff has also developed a program called Healthy Community * Healthy Youth (HC*HY) that teaches young people social skills they can use off the sports field and help them in day-to-day life.

One of the programs Holloway says his staff is most proud of is a youth outreach program. The department identified a gap of time after school when kids could benefit from a recreational experience of some kind. Working with Title 1 schools (these are schools that have a large majority of children on the subsidized lunch program) Boise Parks and Rec created an after-school program at a low cost to parents, where staff came into the schools and taught classes.

One of the most popular has been Sprockids, where kids learn how to take care of their bikes, experience trail rides and learn trail etiquette from staffers. Holloway has been amazed by the results.

"We started with one school a year ago, giving the class after-school, and now we're up to 10 schools where we offer classes in the morning and afternoons. Our objective is to eventually offer this program in every school in the city of Boise," Holloway says.

Not only does Boise work with youth, they listen to them too. Every city board and commission is required to have at least one youth member, who helps influence decision-making and programs.

The department hasn't just had success with programming though--Boise Parks and Rec have also made partnership deals that have led to more facilities. About four years ago, the department partnered with the Optimist Club to help them with a little league program. Boise bought 25 acres of land as a home for the club's fields, and then the club went out and raised $1.4 million to run it. They also had success with a YMCA partnership, leveraging $7 million of taxpayer's money into a $44 million aquatic facility.

"Overall our quality of programs hinges solely on the quality of partnerships," says Holloway.

For a city like Boise, situated near mountains and rivers also makes for an excellent resource. The department, with the help of volunteers, has developed 21 miles of greenbelt pathways that citizens can use to walk toward a healthier lifestyle. They also take advantage of what nature has given them by incorporating skiing, boating, rock climbing, biking and kayaking into recreational activities that people can try. Its one of the best things that sets Boise apart as a true Sportstown.

Holloway says "Being a Sportstown --people think that is a bat and ball process. Sports are part of recreation and we make it a well-rounded package."

For more information on Boise Parks and Recreation, visit www.cityofboise.org \parks.