Exploring Kuna Idaho

EXPLORING KUNA IDAHO

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The number one reason the small farm town of Kuna is growing at an accelerated pace — affordability. Second to affordability is location. Just a short 15-minute drive down the main highway from Meridian, Kuna is growing at breakneck speed. People see the immense value in purchasing a home here. Home builders saw the potential years ago, and many are now building residential and luxury communities in Kuna. This is attracting a whole new demographic to the area, thus broadening the area’s appeal.

As the city evolves, the development of commercial businesses is matching the pace of Kuna’s residential growth. In the past two years, several chain restaurants and fast-food establishments have opened. Grocery and retail stores as well as other small businesses, including convenience stores and gas stations, are changing the landscape around town and meeting basic community needs. With its expanding commerce, Kuna becomes more self-contained, and residents are able to find what they need in their own friendly community.

PEACE AND QUIET

Although most people discover Kuna because of the lower home prices, once here they immediately fall in love with it. Despite the rapid growth, Kuna maintains a country setting and rural roots where the simple life still exists. The country landscape is refreshing, inspiring families to enjoy the outdoors, walk local nature paths, and explore neighborhood parks. And because many of the developments are tucked-in and surrounded by farmland, there is a peace and quiet that permeates the town that you won’t find in larger, nearby communities.

Perhaps it’s the ambiance of the area that invites folks to be friendlier here — holding the door open for others, looking people in the eye, and saying hello to strangers

SMALL-TOWN LIVING

The beauty of living in a small, growing town like Kuna is that you are part of the old and the new. Experience the old-fashioned fun of a country carnival at Kuna Days, held the second weekend in August. This two-day festival celebrates the history of Kuna and takes place at Bernie Fisher Park in downtown. The entire community seemingly shows up for this beloved annual event. Kuna Days includes everything from games and rides to musicians and performers. It even has a hometown parade. You’ll find vendors of every kind selling crafts and painting faces. Enjoy this festive community event while watching your children jump in the free bounce houses. Be sure to attend Kuna Days with an appetite—you can purchase freshly prepared food at the food-truck alley and quench your thirst at the beer garden. The summer festivities close each night with a spectacular fireworks display.

In winter, residents come out in droves and stand shoulder-to-shoulder, embracing the cold to enjoy the “Down Home Country Christmas” parade on Main Street. Floats are lit in holiday glow, with float participants throwing candy to children and blasting Christmas music as they pass by. The event culminates with residents counting down to the city’s lighting of the Christmas tree at Bernie Fisher Park.

Revitalization is taking place in Kuna’s downtown area. City officials want to make downtown a destination for locals and visitors and have already upgraded new streetlamps and sidewalks. The new KUNA! structure on Avenue E is part of the revitalization project, and the city plans to add more art projects in the second phase this year, bringing a unique hometown feel to downtown. As businesses on Main Street upgrade their exterior and more family boutiques and unique restaurants open, Kuna’s quality of life and vibrant community spirit will continue to soar.

Along with the downtown revitalization is the beautification of the Kuna Greenbelt. This area lies in the heart of town and runs alongside Indian Creek from behind Indian Creek Elementary to Orchard Street. Runners, walkers, and families frequent this lush, beautiful area. The greenbelt is replete with places to splash in the water or picnic under mature, green trees. The area also boasts a BMX dirt track and skateboard park, Little League baseball fields, and a new slash pad for cooling off in the summer heat.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the river float on Indian Creek. This is the best local secret in the Treasure Valley. Forget the long pump lines and crowds on the Boise River. Grab your tube and some friends, and hop in Indian Creek at Strobel Road for a great 45-minute float down this fun, fast-flowing river. Don’t let the word “creek” fool you—while some sections include a relaxing float, the river also has a few rapids that will get the adrenaline pumping.

BIG ATTRACTIONS NEARBY

While enjoying the simple pleasures of small town living, big attractions are a short drive away on days when you want to explore.

One of the valley’s most scenic golf courses is the massive, 36-hole Falcon Crest Golf Course. Touted as one of the top five courses in the state of Idaho, Falcon Crest Golf Club in Kuna offers 27 holes of championship golf and a 9-hole executive course with views of the surrounding mountains and overlooking the valley floor.

A short eight-mile drive south of downtown, one can explore the Kuna Caves. The opening to the caves is located on public land in the midst of vast farmland. Placed above the opening is a steel, encaged ladder that descends 50 feet into the mouth of the cave. Visitors can explore about a quarter mile north and a little south of the entrance.

Initial Point isn’t much to look at but has an interesting history. Located just 10 miles south of Kuna is a marker situated on top of a butte about 350 feet high. Perched atop the butte is an observation deck with a silver marker indicating the reference point for all land surveys in Idaho since 1867. After admiring the historic silver marker, take in the astounding views of the Owyhee and Boise Mountain Ranges and far-reaching valley below Twenty miles away on the Snake River is Swan Falls Dam and Park, a popular place for outdoor enthusiasts. The view from the top of the river canyon is breathtaking, resembling a miniature Grand Canyon. Known for its bountiful fishing, miles of hiking trails, rafting, camping, and spectacular bird-watching—with many birds of prey nesting nearby—the river is rich in recreational opportunities for the nature lover to Swan Falls Dam & Park explore and see.