The Julius M. Kleiner family’s gift to the city of Meridian — a $25 million, 60-acre park — is almost complete.
Designed to offer a peaceful urban retreat, the park at the northeast corner of Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue features a plaza, band shell, amphitheater, arboretum and rose garden, ponds, public art, recreation complex, picnic areas, paths and open space. It’s got the Rock of Honor Memorial to commemorate military members from Meridian who’ve died in battle.
Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Kleiner family’s other gift to the community — a new senior center. Located within the park, the newly constructed 14,000-square-foot building designed by Johnson Architects of Meridian features expansive windows overlooking the park.
The new center includes a main dining area with two kitchens outfitted with the latest commercial equipment; an arts and crafts room; game room; health screening room; an indoor walking track and additional office space.
When Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd gives her ninth State of the City address Wednesday, she plans to make an announcement about the park and the senior center. She wouldn’t tip her hand to the Statesman.
“This park is just going to be a phenomenal asset, not only for our community, but for the region as a whole,” de Weerd said. “Who in their lifetime gets to experience such a generous gift … creating a special place where families can go and memories can be created?”
KLEINER AND THE PARK
The park was designed by and is being developed by the Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park Trust, comprising Kleiner’s son, Eugene Kleiner of Seattle, and family friends Elden Gray of Boise and Mike Huter of Nampa. The trust will donate the park to the city when it is finished.
Julius Kleiner was born in 1892 and came to America in 1916. He moved to Idaho in the 1920s, owning the creameries in Caldwell and Nampa at different times and a poultry business. Kleiner purchased the Kleiner Park property from the Morrison Knudsen Co. in 1944 and turned it into a dairy farm, which operated until the 1970s. Kleiner died in 1972.
A bronze sculpture of Kleiner, created by artist Jay Warren at his studio in Rogue River, Ore., will stand in a grand plaza along the promenade.
The last pieces of the park left to finish are the roads that provide access to the senior center and other park areas. The city plans a grand opening in the spring.
Officials couldn’t be reached for details on when the senior center will move into its new home.
Readmore here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/02/01/1976081/new-park-senior-center-on-meridians.html#storylink=cp
BY CYNTHIA SEWELL - cmsewell@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2012 Idaho Statesman
BY CYNTHIA SEWELL Idaho Statesman
Published: 02/01/12
Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428