KTVB file

Construction of a whitewater park on the Boise River is scheduled to start next spring or summer.

BOISE -- After nearly a decade of planning construction is set to begin on Boise’s first river recreation park next year.

On Thursday, the Department of Parks and Recreation invited the public to look at the design of the project.

The park will be located on the Boise River between Main Street and Veterans Memorial Park.

It will feature a whitewater playground of in-river drops, chutes and boulder obstacles as well as seating along the river for pedestrians.

"This will have a significant impact on the community. Not only will it have educational purposes like water safety, people who want to learn to kayak, it will also help with beautification of this area. It's also going to have an economic impact on the city," said Tom Governale, Superintendent of Parks.

The department says initial construction will start next spring or summer.