Nampa’s Lakeview Park Courts Renamed for Fallen Police Chief to Reopen May 29
A beloved piece of Nampa’s north side is getting a fresh start this Memorial Day weekend. Creech’s Court at Lakeview Park — located at 1304 7th St. N — will reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 29, following nearly six months of renovation work. The newly resurfaced facility honors former Nampa Police Department Chief Alan Creech, who dedicated his career to building bridges between law enforcement and the city’s youth.
A Legacy Tied to Nampa’s Youth and Community Safety
Alan Creech joined the Nampa Police Department on September 11, 1974, and rose to serve as chief beginning January 1, 2000. His tenure as chief was cut short when he was killed in a plane crash on June 21, 2002, alongside Nampa Police Reserve Officer Mark Hupe. Both men were private pilots. At the time of the crash, Hupe was flying Creech into a mountainous area near Atlanta, Idaho, to scout a potential location for a youth church camp. The aircraft encountered difficulties while attempting to land, resulting in the fatal crash.
Creech was remembered not only as a law enforcement leader, but as someone who used athletics as a tool for community connection. He was a longtime north Nampa resident who loved basketball, served as a soccer referee, and regularly engaged children on the courts. The city of Nampa has honored his memory by placing his name on the courts and an engraved stone in front of the West Substation.
“Alan used basketball and other sports to engage Nampa’s youth and demonstrate positive interactions between kids and the Nampa Police,” city officials noted in a public statement about the reopening.
Renovated Courts Offer Multi-Sport Play for Nampa Families
The renovation project transformed the existing court surfaces into a multi-use facility. The courts are now striped for both basketball and futsal — a variation of soccer played on a court roughly the size of a basketball court, with five players per side. The upgrade makes the facility more versatile for the diverse communities that call north Nampa home.
Nampa Parks and Recreation Director Cody Swander said the rebuilt courts represent a meaningful investment in the city’s future. “The renewed courts give kids and their mentors a quality and safe place to play and continue the tradition of combating crime through sports activities,” Swander said, “just as Alan Creech would have wanted.”
The timing of the reopening — just ahead of summer — gives Nampa families a new outdoor destination right as school lets out and youth activity ramps up. Lakeview Park is a well-used green space in the north part of the city, and the court upgrades are expected to draw steady use throughout the warmer months. For families looking for other outdoor recreation options this season, Lake Lowell is also open for boating, offering additional ways to enjoy Canyon County’s warm-weather amenities.
Impact on Canyon County Residents
Stories like this one reflect the kind of community investment that Canyon County residents value — honoring public servants who went above and beyond their duties, while building lasting infrastructure for the next generation. Creech’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Nampa’s north side, and the reopened courts ensure that younger residents will grow up learning his name and the values he stood for.
Nampa is no stranger to honoring its history. The city is also home to America’s largest war museum, the Warhawk Air Museum, which draws visitors from across the Treasure Valley and beyond to celebrate those who served.
What Comes Next
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Creech’s Court is open to the public and will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at Lakeview Park, 1304 7th St. N in Nampa. Residents interested in learning more about the facility or city parks programming can contact Nampa Parks and Recreation at 208-468-5858.