History of Dona Larsen Park

History of Dona Larsen Park. . In 1911, a baseball field was built on this site and named Cody Park after C.W. "Jack" Cody, who purchased the Boise franchise in the Union Association and started a semi-professional baseball team. The team, the Boise Irrigators, played their games here at Cody Park., In 1924, the Boise School District purchased Cody Park and in 1925 proceeded to make improvements to the site, eventually renaming it Public School Field. Tourtelotte and Hummel Architects were commissioned to design an entrance to Public School Field along Warm Springs Avenue. The original entrance has been replicated here by a new entrance completed in 2011., Public School Field was used for athletic and other activities of the Boise public schools. A running track was added by the Morrison-Knudsen Company so that track and field meets could be held. It was also used for community events, public meetings, field days, pageants, band concerts and a boxing match., When Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) began competing in athletics in 1932, the college used Public School Field for football and track and field. In 1940, the Broncos moved their events to College Field on the Boise State campus. East Junior High School was built here in 1953 and occupied this site for 56 years. , Boise State University acquired this 14.5 acre property in 2009 and renamed the site Dona Larsen Park in 2010 in recognition of Dona Larsen, a distinguished teacher and community member who taught and coached at East Junior High School for 30 years. , Boise State University thanks the David and Debra Larsen Huber Family Foundation for their naming gift to Dona Larsen Park.