City officials and members of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club gathered at Heritage Park this week to celebrate the opening of two new picnic shelters and launch the organization’s 2026 Duck Race fundraiser.
The shelters are the latest addition to the 10-acre park along the Snake River’s western banks, part of ongoing improvements funded by proceeds from the Rotary Club’s annual Duck Race event.
Rotary Club Contributions Total More Than $800,000
Since 2018, the Idaho Falls Rotary Club has invested over $800,000 into Heritage Park development. The contributions have funded grading work, irrigation systems, pathways throughout the property, sod installation, and the two newly completed shelters.
Parks and Recreation Director PJ Holm said the additions serve an important community function. In remarks at the ribbon-cutting, Holm described the new structures as gathering spaces where families will celebrate milestones and create lasting memories.
Holm credited the Rotary Club with playing a significant role in developing the Idaho Falls River Walk system, particularly Heritage Park, and thanked the organization for its commitment to building recreational spaces for current and future residents.
Community Partnership Built the Park
Heritage Park represents a collaboration among multiple community partners. The Smith families donated the land for the project, while Ball Ventures paid for parking lot construction. Morgan Construction provided and transported fill material to raise the park to its current elevation.
Volunteers organized through JustServe installed more than four acres of sod during a single evening effort. The combined contributions from private donors, nonprofit organizations, and community groups transformed the site into a public asset designed to serve Bonneville County residents for generations.
Annual Duck Race Fundraiser Launches
Following the shelter ribbon-cutting, the Idaho Falls Rotary Club kicked off this year’s Duck Race with a parade showcasing prizes. A sedan donated by Stone’s KIA and an ATV donated by Idaho Central Credit Union were among the items featured.
Ducks for the fundraiser will be available for purchase online and at sales booths throughout Idaho Falls this summer. The race is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026. Proceeds from the event will continue funding improvements to Heritage Park and other community projects.
What Comes Next
With the new shelters now open, Heritage Park offers expanded capacity for family gatherings, community events, and outdoor recreation along the Snake River. The Rotary Club’s ongoing fundraising through the Duck Race will determine the scope of future park enhancements. Residents can purchase ducks and follow updates through the Idaho Falls Rotary Club’s social media channels as the August race date approaches.