Rotary Club Duck Race Funds New Shelters at Idaho Falls Heritage Park
IDAHO FALLS — The Rotary Club of Idaho Falls and the city’s Parks and Recreation department marked a milestone Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Heritage Park, unveiling two new public shelters funded through the club’s signature annual duck race along the Snake River.
The event drew city leaders and Rotary members to the 10-acre park on the west side of the Snake River, where the sound of a nearby waterfall set the backdrop for the celebration. Wednesday’s gathering also served as the official kickoff for the 35th annual duck race, one of the community’s longest-running charitable traditions.
Duck Race Dollars at Work
Rotary Club President Stephen Boorman credited the organization’s consistent civic investment for helping shape the greenbelt and surrounding park areas over the years. “As we look at these shelters that are here today, they are a success funded by last year’s duck race,” Boorman said at the ceremony.
Parks and Recreation Director PJ Holm noted that the two new structures represent only the latest chapter in a larger commitment. The Rotary Club has contributed more than $1 million to the city since 2019 specifically for the development of Heritage Park. Holm described the shelters as far more than simple infrastructure. “These shelters aren’t just wooden structures, they’re gathering places where families will celebrate birthdays, or friends will reconnect,” he said, adding that community events and lasting memories would be made there for years to come.
35th Duck Race Set for August
Wednesday’s ceremony doubled as the starting gun for this year’s duck race campaign. A small parade through Heritage Park featured some of the prizes already lined up for the August event, including a sedan donated by Stone’s KIA and an ATV provided by Idaho Central Credit Union. Rubber ducks will be made available for purchase online and through sales booths posted around the Idaho Falls community throughout the summer.
The race festivities are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, through Saturday, Aug. 8. Residents interested in participating can find additional details and purchase ducks through the race’s official website.
The annual event has long been one of the Rotary Club’s most visible fundraising efforts, channeling proceeds directly back into local parks and public spaces. The success of last year’s race made the Heritage Park shelters possible, organizers said.
Tree Planted to Honor Local Volunteer
City officials also took time during Wednesday’s event to recognize a long-time contributor to the duck race and the broader community. A lodgepole pine was planted in Heritage Park in honor of Kevin Call, owner of Farr’s Candy Company and a Rotary Club member who has played a central role in organizing the race over the years.
Holm announced that the city would pursue fundraising to place a commemorative plaque beside the tree. “We’re going to dedicate this lodgepole pine to Kevin Call for all of his dedication, all his work, all his commitment to our community,” Holm said.
Heritage Park sits on approximately 10 acres along the Snake River and has grown into one of Idaho Falls’ most popular green spaces, in large part due to private partnerships like the one with the Rotary Club.
The shelters join a growing list of improvements to the park funded through community generosity rather than taxpayer dollars — a model that city leaders have pointed to as an example of how civic organizations can drive meaningful public investment without expanding government spending.
As the city looks ahead to another summer along the Snake River Greenbelt, the duck race continues to serve as one of the more creative and community-minded fundraising traditions in East Idaho. Bonneville County residents looking for other upcoming local events can also keep an eye on the annual ceremony honoring fallen heroes scheduled in the coming weeks.
What Comes Next
Duck race ducks will go on sale online and at community booths in the coming weeks ahead of the Aug. 7–8 race weekend. The city will also begin fundraising efforts to install a plaque beside the newly planted lodgepole pine honoring Kevin Call. For broader coverage of community events and local news across East Idaho, visit Idaho News.