City Parks & Recreation

OVERVIEW

The City of Cascade has several jewels in its public parks crown. All carefully maintained by a host of dedicated volunteers, grant funding from a variety of community minded support groups including, but not limited to, a multitude of State of Idaho funding pools, AARP, St. Lukes, Idaho Community Foundation, Stibnite Foundation, Valley County Soil and Water, Cascade Schools District #422, Mark and Kristina Pickard, Friends of Kelly’s Whitewater Park, and the city of Cascade Public Works staff.

Almost every aspect of our city parks has been touched by our civic-minded “Community Angel” and previous Idaho State “Volunteer of the Year” award recipient, Shauna Arnold, who continues to give countless hours of her time in the coordination of various committees, workdays, city cleanups, and popular fund-raising events around town.

All city parks are open to the public for use. All city parks are available for reserved venues for a moderate fee. For rental rates and to make a reservation, contact City Hall at 208-382-4279.

Please be respectful of these precious public spaces – Pack It In and Pack It Out.

Cascade city parks directly benefit from the collection of LOT funding (Local Option Non-Property Tax).

Use of city parks is subject to City of Cascade Ordinances.

The MARION KERBY GARDEN

The downtown Marion Kerby Garden is a paradise of Zone 5 perennial blooms and climbing vines during the summer with a shaded pergola where you can enjoy the garden in cool, quiet. Lovingly created and maintained by Volunteers of the Long Valley Garden Club which was founded by Marion Kerby and other passionate gardeners in Valley and Adams counties on April 29, 1954 – more than one mayor has performed a marriage ceremony in this peaceful oasis south of the Columbia Bank and adjacent to Cascade City Hall.

Margaret Cemetery Memorial Garden

Named after pioneer Idahoan, Margarette “Fawcett” Gorton 1867-1915, Margaret Cemetery, dating back to the 19th century, is an historic and serene final resting place nestled in the trees between downtown Cascade and Cascade Lake.  It provides a peaceful and respectful environment for families to honor and remember their loved ones. With well-maintained grounds and a tranquil atmosphere, Margaret Cemetery is a memorial garden that offers a dignified setting for burial and memorial services.

In 1893 Margarette “Maggie” married Lorin M. Gorton who had arrived in Boise by covered wagon in 1882. He married Margarette Fawcett in 1893 and they settled in Cascade. While detailed biographical information about her early life, family, and work is limited in public sources, her memorial and cemetery naming suggest she was respected and valued by her neighbors.

Plot availability: Full.          Columbarium Niche availability: 34

ARMSTRONG PARK

This community jewel has a covered pavilion with picnic tables, public restrooms *, playground equipment, basketball 1/2 court, pickle ball, and an expansive grassy area make this park a great place for family outings, community gatherings, and plays host to a variety of special events throughout the year. 

To make reservations for Armstrong Park contact City Hall at 208-382-4279 or deputyclerk@cascadeid.us or print the reservations form on this page and return to city hall with payment.

*Please note that the public restrooms are closed during the winter months.

 FISCHER POND

Fischer Pond is a 1.7 acre community fishing pond tucked into a city park and is a popular spot for bank fishing early summer through the fall. Named after long time Fish and Game Warden, George Fischer, this unique park is a public space with something for everyone and for a moderate fee is available to reserve for informal gathers and family reunions.

A cornerstone community effort, this park is maintained by dedicated volunteers, Alzar leadership school students, the Valley County Soil and Water Conservation group, and city staff. Many clean water projects have been completed throughout the years by Cascade Schools biology class students under the guidance of retired teacher, Clint Kennedy.

The pond is regularly stocked by Idaho Fish and Game with rainbow trout (12″-14″) in spring and is open to the public with an Idaho fishing license. This family-friendly recreation site features a fishing and observation platform, fish viewing aquarium *, expansive grassy area, a paved walking path through the park, picnic tables, volleyball, and an ADA access bathroom. * Note: the aquarium is currently under maintenance.

Fischer Pond is adjacent to and accessible from The Strand riverside trail and the seasonal community garden. A gas barbecue and small covered eating area is available for park visitors.

Flatwater float enthusiasts can put in on the North Form of the Payette River at the southern end of the parking lost (east of the SH55 bridge) for a leisurely float to the Cabarton road take out.

The CASCADE SPORTS PARK and DISC GOLF

The Cascade Sports Park and Pal Saltori Football Field, proud home of the Cascade Rambler’s high school football team, is a community gem for all to enjoy and for a moderate fee is available to reserve for your baseball, soccer, and football tournaments, or for your family reunion!

Park Origin      The City of Cascade purchased the property for the park from long-time resident and businessman, Frank D. Callender in 1967. Spearheaded by Cascade citizen, Greg Spangenberg, and with the help of local businesses and a dedicated volunteer work force, the first diamond was completed in the spring of 1979 and was promptly in use by a rapidly growing league of softball teams sponsored by local businesses and churches.

The mayor and city council dedicated a portion of the property in April of 1982 for a “two diamond softball facility” with the goal of encouraging and promoting recreational activities to benefit the health and well-being of Cascade citizens, their visitors, and guests. In 2020, thanks to the coordinating efforts of local businesses and resident, Ron Julian, one of the diamonds was converted to red dirt – the real deal playing surface!

To promote the benefits and future growth of this popular site, the city council appointed a Planning Committee in November of 2013 who recommended that the council adopt ten goals for the park that would later be incorporated into the current Cascade Sports Park Master Plan that would ensure the ongoing benefits to the community long into the future.

This park has ADA access, bleachers, three (3) disc golf courses, electricity, picnic tables, playground equipment, and access to The Strand riverside trail.

To reserve The Cascade Sports Park or Disc Golf, please contact the City Hall office at 208-382-4279 or deputyclerk@cascadeid.us

CASCADE DISC GOLF

Disc Golf, a popular and growing sport has an established presence in the Cascade parks system. Designed by Cascade high school advanced biology program students and with tireless, supportive efforts of resident Larry Morton, details for this popular 14-hole course can be found on the PDGA and UDisc websites. The course weaves in and out along The Strand riverside trail and is rated moderate to hard. Dogs on leash are welcome.

The STRAND Riverside Trail

The Strand trail meanders along the North Fork of the Payette River for 2.2 miles beginning at the south end of Fischer Pond Park and spanning to Water’s Edge RV Park to the north. This interpretive trail has spectacular views of the valley and surrounding  mountains.

The Strand trail is a combination of asphalt paving and dirt/gravel and is suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling but is not legal for motorized bicycles or vehicles. Dogs on leash are welcome but picking up after your pet is necessary in this sensitive ecosystem. Horses are not allowed on the trail.

Brochures are available at City Hall, Kelly’s Whitewater Park, and the Chamber of Commerce.

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

LAKE CASCADE GOLF COURSE is one of the most Scenic golf adventures in the Northwest. Nestled away in the mountains along beautiful Lake Cascade just an hour and half away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Where else can you play a round of golf and look up from any shot and see the beautiful picturesque view of a lake with snow capped mountains . Even though we are a nine hole course we have 4 sets of tees set up to play eighteen holes with a different shot to the green on each round. We are a course that welcomes the young junior golfer to the young at heart. There is a challenge on every hole with sloping fairways and greens that are difficult to read. Blind shots off the tee box to the fairway’s and tee shots over the water will challenge even the low handicap golfer.

Kelly’s Whitewater Park

Kelly’s Whitewater Park (“KWP”) is on the east side of Cascade.  KWP is the first whitewater park in Idaho, attracting kayakers, surfers, stand-up paddlers, rafter and tubers for competitions or just to play in the man-made whitewater waves.  The park stretches 1,200 feet down the Payette River as it flows past the old Boise-Cascade Mill site.  KWP is also home to a 2,660 square foot Welcome Center that overlooks the river and mountains with a gallery that showcases different local historic themes each year.  The park is a beautiful place to relax, play, or just be a spectator.

LAKE CASCADE STATE PARK

 Lake Cascade has as many camping options as it does recreational opportunities with hundreds of campsites ranging from primitive to fully serviced hook-ups. Lake Cascade has as many camping options as it does recreational opportunities with hundreds of campsites ranging from primitive to fully serviced hook-ups. The sites are located along 86 miles of shoreline with beautiful views of Lake Cascade and the North Fork Mountain Range.

Windsurfers and boat sails crisscross Lake Cascade when the afternoon winds kick up. Fishers catch rainbow trout, Coho salmon or small mouth bass all year long and hikers or mountain bikers traverse a variety of trails within and beyond the park. Enjoy a picnic on the beach, sailing, windsurfing, or swimming. 

The park is open year-round. Reservations are required at all campgrounds from spring opening through fall closing, except at Van Wyck, Blue Heron, and Curlew, which remain first-come, first-served. During the winter snow season, camping is limited to designated boat launch parking lots and is available as first-come, first-served dry camping. For details, please contact the park.