Meridian’s $30 Million Settlers Park Expansion: What’s Coming and Why It Matters

Meridian just announced a major investment in one of its most loved public spaces, Settlers Park. With nearly $30 million allocated for expansion, the city is preparing to add 11 new acres, build a state-of-the-art community center, and upgrade recreational access for all ages. The best part? It’s all being funded through impact fees, not property taxes.

If you’ve ever tried to find parking during a summer movie night at the park or wished for more community space on the west side of town, this transformation is welcome news.

Here’s what you need to know about the expansion, what’s planned, and when to expect it all to come together.

A Community Investment Without New Taxes

At a time when cities across the Treasure Valley are grappling with growth and stretched budgets, Meridian is taking a proactive approach. This project is being funded through impact fees, which are paid by developers to help offset the cost of infrastructure improvements caused by new growth. That means no new property taxes for residents.

The $30 million project will expand Settlers Park westward, using land the city purchased from the West Ada School District. It’s a strategic investment in a part of Meridian that’s growing rapidly and hungry for more recreation, parking, and public services.

What’s Included in the Expansion

The centerpiece of this project is a new multi-use community center that will range in size from 17,000 to 22,800 square feet. Designed to serve everyone from kids to seniors, the facility will include:

• Classrooms for community education and workshops

• Fitness areas for group exercise or individual training

• Arts and crafts spaces to support local creativity

• A demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and events

• Flexible, gym-style spaces for sports, events, and meetups

  
  

Alongside the new building, the expansion includes significant outdoor upgrades:

• 340+ new parking spots to ease congestion during peak park hours

• Upgraded walking paths and sidewalks that better connect different park areas

• Expanded playgrounds for kids of all ages

• Designated dog park areas for off-leash fun

• Additional green space for lounging, sports, or spontaneous gatherings

  
  

In short, the goal is to make Settlers Park more functional, more accessible, and more enjoyable for the growing number of people who use it.

Community-Driven Planning

The design for the expansion isn’t being decided in a vacuum. The city has already finalized a preliminary layout with input from community stakeholders and is planning a series of public open houses to fine-tune the details before breaking ground.

This approach ensures that the new spaces reflect what locals actually want, whether that’s indoor pickleball, a teen-friendly hangout space, or more family programming on weekends.

Meridian is making it clear that this is a community-first project, shaped by public input and responsive to real needs.

Timeline: When Will It Be Ready?

Here’s the projected schedule as of now:

• Public input and planning: Ongoing through 2025

• Construction begins: Summer 2026

• Community center opens: Late 2027 or 2028

  
  

While that might feel like a long time to wait, a project of this size takes careful coordination, and the investment in planning now will pay off in long-term usability and impact.

Why It Matters for Meridian

Settlers Park has long been a gathering point for Meridian families, with concerts, splash pads, and summer movie nights drawing thousands of visitors every year. But with the city’s population booming, the park’s infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.

This expansion helps ensure the park stays central to Meridian’s identity as a family-friendly, connected community. It also sends a clear message about the kind of growth Meridian is aiming for: growth that’s thoughtful, well-funded, and focused on the public good.

By funding the project through impact fees instead of property taxes, the city is also modeling a smart approach to growth management, one that asks developers to contribute to the quality of life they’re helping to shape.

What Locals Are Saying

Initial response from residents has been enthusiastic, especially around the promise of better parking and more indoor space for community events. For many, the lack of a west-side community center has meant driving to other parts of town for classes, meetings, or indoor recreation.

This expansion fills that gap and creates a central hub that feels like it belongs to everyone.

Looking Ahead

As the project moves into its public engagement phase, now’s the time to get involved. Whether you’ve got ideas for community center programming, thoughts on parking layout, or just want to stay in the loop, the city is encouraging residents to speak up.

You can also expect more announcements about specific features, construction timelines, and how this project fits into broader plans for Meridian’s park system.

Stay Connected

Settlers Park has always been a place where Meridian comes together—and with this expansion, it’s about to become even more central to community life.

To stay updated on project milestones, community meetings, and all things Meridian parks, follow @iHeartCityOfTrees for local news, growth updates, and stories that spotlight what makes the Treasure Valley thrive.