Junk Pile Found Under Boise Park Under Construction

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The mayor of Boise is asking the city council for $2.5 million to pay for removing debris and waste unearthed during the construction of a new park.

The Idaho Statesman reports that Mayor Dave Bieter made the request Tuesday to remove tires, barrels, petroleum products and other trash from what will eventually be Esther Simplot Park.

The family of J.R. Simplot is paying for the construction of the park that's a tribute to his wife, Esther, a philanthropist and arts benefactor. City officials say construction crews are following the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's guidelines in removing the waste.