#1: Porter Park

Located right by campus!

Here, you’ll find:

• Picnic tables with Shelters
• Playground (great for kids and but I prefer them for ninja tag!)
• Tennis Courts
• Basketball Court
• Kids water part playground
• Soccer fields
• Jogging path
• Plenty of trees that offer shade
• Slack lining

The most special part of Porter Park is its antique carousel. It’s one of the 170 antique carousels remaining in the United States!

#2: Nature Park

A perfect spot for running and biking!

Here, you’ll find:

• Jogging Paths along the Teton River
• Playground (in case you want to release your inner child yet again)
• Fishing Ponds
• An “in town” escape
• Ducks to feed… lots of them!

This park stretches over 15 acres of land! Also worth mentioning for all you sk8rs is the Clair Boyle Skate Park packed with all sorts of stuff to give you, and your board, a rad time.

#3: BYU Idaho Gardens

Like an Eden in Idaho!

Here, you’ll find:

• The “laboratory” of the Landscape Horticulture  department. In other words…
• 750 varieties of annual flowers
• 200 varieties of perennial flowers
• Numerous kinds of trees and shrubs
• Beautiful features like a waterfall.
• Orchards and vegetable gardens.
• Volleyball area
• Picnic area

The Gardens hosts many summer activities including weddings and social occasions. They are open year round until dark.

(Hey, Guys! Maybe take a date here for a daytime picnic.)

#4: Smith Park

The most popular park of the Rexburg Community!

Here, you’ll find:

• Gazebo (Can be reserved but costs a fee)
• Picnic areas (Can be reserved but costs a fee)
• Baseball fields
• Tennis Courts
• Kiddie Park
• Playground Equipment
• Antique steam engine
• Barbecue areas

Smith park does a lot in the summer activities from concerts to art displays.

And, Finally #5: Community Park

Open especially for athletic activities!

Here, you’ll find:

• A park adjacent to the Madison High School baseball fields
• An open field to play football

This park doesn’t have much to offer but it would be a key place to play some football, baseball or maybe capture the flag.

For more info, parks, and pictures visit this link.

About the Author:

Andrew Davis is a graphic designer, techno musician, creative writer, and dreamer. He’ll be attending BYU Idaho as a freshman this fall.

Overview

Had enough of classes and homework? You burned out two weeks into the semester??? You need to get out and run around! BYU Idaho provides means for many different pick up games to be played up to midnight, most nights of the week. You’ll find it is a perfect outlet after studying and school work on any given night. Around Rexburg people gather to play football, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer and more. Below you’ll find information on where you can find some of these weekly events!

Soccer

Normally played in the field-house twice a week (tuesdays and thursdays I think…) You won’t need cleats as it is an indoor facility.

Football

Played at various times of the week but especially on Friday night and Saturdays. Usually you can find a game on the football field or the upper fields.

Basketball

Played every night of the week except Sundays (obviously). Played on all of the campus courts (In the Hart, Field House, New Auditorium courts)

Note: During the intermural basketball season there are numerous times where the courts will be occupied.

Ultimate Frisbee

My personal favorite! Groups play multiple nights of the week on the football field, upperfields, Porter Park and during the winter in the field house and local schools.

Volleyball

There are volleyball courts in the fieldhouse and you usually can find games there during weeknights.

Tennis

You can find tennis courts across from the Hart building and next to the health center. Though more of a summer activity, sometimes people play in the field house during the winter.

About the Author

Robby Myers is an BYU Idaho Alumni and currently is attending BYU in Provo. He is single and anxiously awaits the day that he finds the right girl

(He does accept referrals….)

If you have anymore specific information for when any of these events are played, please leave a note below

Love snowboarding? Ready to take it to the next level?

I personally suffered from what I’ve deemed “flailing cat syndrome”… You know. I launch off my feet – flail like a cat – then land on my head. Lol!  Last season, after getting fed up with not nailing my spins, I finally just started pitiching them every chance I got. It was a pretty brutal experience. Honestly… IT HURT! Which is why this video might be extremely valuable to you. It explains spinning in a logical and helpful way.

Eventually I started to smoothly land my 180’s and 360’s almost every time. So if your not one of the “naturals” that makes it look easy… Watch this video. Educate yourself. And start  sticking your spins. But DON”T do what I did. Spare your body : )

Happy riding!

Advanced Spinning Part 1 (Regular) from SnowboardAddiction.com on Vimeo.

HERE’s the second half of the Video.

Game Overview

Do you like being sneaky?

Here’s a game that will keep you entertained…

A group is on a park playground. The person that is “it” keeps their eyes closed. The three others try not to get tagged. If you aren’t it, you have to be sneaky like a ninja!

It’s fun to get close to the person that’s “it” and sneak past them. But watch out, if they hear you….

… you may be toast!

Where to Play

Rexburg’s Park Playgrounds:

• Porter Park
• Smith Park
• Elementary Schools

How to Play

1.)   4 or more people is best…

2.)   The person who’s “it” has to keep their eyes closed and try to tag the others

3.)   Those who aren’t “it” try to not get tagged

4.)   Once someone gets tagged, they become “it”

It’s more fun if you try to sneak by the person who is “it”! It brings out your inner ninja.

This is a great game for double dates, groups, and families. It’s active, social, and fun (if you are willing to get into it). You can play it outside during the winter or the summer.

Imagine trying to quickly fetch a ball faster than your competitor. Oh yeah… there’s one catch… you’re blind : )

You have to fetch the ball quickest, but you have to close your eyes. The only guidance you have is your partners verbal directions. So I hope you’re a good listener…

Where to Play

You can play “Blind Fetch” anywhere in Rexburg that is wide open. Ideal places include: city parks, baseball fields, and football fields.

How to Play

1.)   Blind Fetch requires at least 4 people to play.

2.)   Two people to a team (There can be more than 2 teams if desired)

3.)   The “Fetchers” (one from each team) FIRST close their eyes

4.)   THEN the ball or frisbee is thrown out a distance (30 yards or so) by any player that still has their eyes open.

5.)   Next, the count down from 5 to 0

6.)   At 0 the goal is to for each team to work together and fetch the ball first.

7.)   The blind person has to remain blind and should be led to the ball ONLY by verbal directions from his or her partner.

8.)   First team to fetch the ball and return to the starting point (always remaining blind) wins!

Overview

Directions

1. Snow shoeing
2. Go Sledding or Tubing
3. Build an Igloo
4. Sleigh rides
5. Cross Country Skiing
6. Ski or Snowboard
7. Snow Angels
8. Put Out Bird Seed for the Winter Birds
9. Haunted Houses or a Corn Maze (more of a Halloween thing)
10. Snowmobiling
11. Back Country Skiing
12. Snow Camping (Try it in a Cave)
13. Have a winter picnic. Bring a warm sandwich and cookies in an insulated bag , cocoa and hot soup in a soup thermos. Take blankets or sleeping bags to sit on.
14. Go Look at Christmas Lights
15. Snowball fight
16. Polarbear Swim (BRRRRR)
17. YellowStone National Park (Most parts you will probably need Snowmobiles)
18. Cut Out Paper Snowflakes
19. Ice Skating
20. Billards
21. Bowling

Overview

The Civil Defense caves are large tubes formed from lava that snake underground for thousands of feet. Because of the insulating qualities of Lava, the interior of caves are cold, even on the hottest days of the summer.

It’s really fun to explore. The caves vary from 50 feet high to areas that you need to crawl through.

Direction

The first right off North Salem Road (which is is about 16.8 miles this is also the North Rexburg exit, from the I-20 interstate at N 44°06.273′ W 111°48.285′.

The next turn, a left turn, is about 3.7 miles from the first turn off and is located at N 44°08.656′ W 111°45.803′.

Go one more mile or 4.7 miles from the main road and you will arrive at the cave. N 44°09.326′ W 111°46.551′.

You will need…

• A jacket
• good footwear
• flashlights or head lamps (with extra batteries)
• To be mindful and remember the path you take in so you can backtrack and get out (which isn’t hard, but it’s worth pointing out…)

You may want…

• A snow hat or beanie
• Gloves – the rock can be rough
• Glow sticks (for fun and for back up)
• A camera

Bridge jumping right by monkey rock!

Overview

Have you have ever wanted to play in a waterfall? If so,  Monkey rock is the place. It’s not a large cascade, but this little lagoon style location is perfect for a summer swim and hang out. You can swim around in the lagoon or up explore up behind the waterfall. In the summer the water temperature is just right. Just get in and get used to it!

When you go, make sure you walk under and behind the falls. It’s a rush to have that much water rush over you… Depending on the water level the falls might be bigger or smaller.

CAUTION: Be careful around the little concrete “water slide” up top where the canal feed the waterfall. At the bottom of the slide is little rapid or “hydraulic” which is unassuming, but is surprisingly powerful. It’s been known to give quite a few people a scare. What it will do is sweep our feet out from underneath you and roll you.

SAFETY TIPS:

1. Don’t be scared of it, just take a second to understand it and you’ll have nothing to fear… And don’t be the idiot that thinks he’s stronger than it.
2. Know your ability level
3. Always have some else up there with you, and
4. Have a good time!

If you get tired of playing around the falls, you can walk down the street and jump off of the bridge. It’s high enough to give a thrill, but not so high that it is very dangerous. Be careful and wise at both spots and you will have an enjoyable time.

Directions

You Will Need…

• Sandals / water shoes: The lagoon floor is pretty rocky
• Towels
• Sunscreen

You May Want…

• Snorkel mask
• Camera
• Lunch: It’s a great place to picnic…
• Nun-chucks,  naturally… right?

Overview

Not to be mistaken with the Civil Defense Caves (which are near by) , the Ice Caves are about 45 minutes outside of Rexburg. The Ice Caves (also known as the Lava Tube Caves) were originally formed as lava tubes. Over the years they have maintained fairly cold temperatures and as moisture and water seeped in it froze. The ice now remains frozen year round and makes for a wonderful adventure. There are two different sets of caves, fairly close to each other in the middle of the desert.  Both sets of caves are a few hundred yards deep and require good footwear, warm clothes and a flashlight to navigate.

Directions

The turn off is just about 25 miles past walmart or 14.5 miles past the sand dunes RV camp place. You will drive over a metal cattle guard. (A big grated metal thing that crosses the road.)

Immediately after the third cattle guard there is a dirt road turnoff to the right. This turnoff goes diagonally northeast. There is another turn-off that connects with the first one about 200 yards down the road that is pretty much parallel to the main road (There is a 3rd dirt road past the first two….it doesn’t lead to the ice caves).

Continue on the dirt road (for which a not going faster than 10-15 mph for about 30 minutes. You will feel like you have probably passed the caves, but just when you are about to turn around the road forks completely.

Take the right fork, but drive slowly… you could very well drive right into the gigantic hole in the ground. Climb down into the hole and you should see the cave entrance.
Special thanks to Alyson for these directions. (www.rexburgic.com)

You will need…

• Flashlight
• Good hiking/tennis shoes
• Warm clothes: Sweatshirt, long underwear, jacket, gloves, beanie/snow cap.

You may want…

• Glow Sticks: It’s fun to brake them open and sprinkle the glow goo around and play “hide and go seek”. Please remember to bring a bag and pack your trash out.
• Energy Food: It’s a fun place to have a snack… and you’ll probably need one.
• Camera: (Hint- for need photos, increase your shutter speed to 1 second or more. Then email SpiffyList your photos! We’ll post ‘em.)