Filed Under Kalispell

Woodland Park

East Side Historic District

In the earliest days before trees lined Kalispell’s residential streets, this was the town’s only wooded area. The dense, dark evergreens that surrounded a swamp were off limits to children because transients from the freight trains camped here and the mosquitoes were fierce. In 1903, the city acquired these 40 acres from the estate of pioneer businessman Charles Conrad. The area remained unimproved until 1911 when the city spent almost $4,000 draining the swamp, excavating for the lake, and landscaping. By 1912, residents enjoyed winter skating, skiing, and sledding on the grounds. A children’s playground, however, had to be removed because the park was still host to mosquitoes and hobos. With the help and cooperation of Mayor John Bruckhauser, the Works Projects Administration (WPA) transformed the “city’s swamp” into a recreational haven during the 1930s. The $120,000 project provided jobs for some 400 local workers and won recognition as one of the country’s “most unique and attractive civic improvements.” Today’s park offers recreational activities for all seasons, hosts weddings and family gatherings, and thus continues to be a favorite place for building memories.

Images

Woodland Park- aviary
Woodland Park- aviary Woodland Park- aviary (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F26). View of the aviary, facing northeast in the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- rose garden
Woodland Park- rose garden Woodland Park- rose garden (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F27). View of the rose garden, facing north with a view of the main path into the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- pool
Woodland Park- pool Woodland Park- pool (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F28). View of the public pool, facing southeast near the park entrance. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- lagoon
Woodland Park- lagoon Woodland Park- lagoon (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F29). View of the lagoon surrounding the park, facing west near the main path and the pavilion in the background. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- rose garden
Woodland Park- rose garden Woodland Park- rose garden (PAc 91-51 Kalispell F24 F30). Another view of the rose garden, facing west in the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- warming hut
Woodland Park- warming hut Woodland Park- warming hut (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F31). Front to side view of the warming hut, facing north in the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- lagoon
Woodland Park- lagoon Woodland Park- lagoon (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F32). Another view of the lagoon surrounding the park, facing west in the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- shed
Woodland Park- shed Woodland Park- shed (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F33). Front view of the shed structure, facing south on the park premises near the main path into and out of the area. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- playground
Woodland Park- playground Woodland Park- playground (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F34). View of the playground near the center, facing southwest in the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- pavilion
Woodland Park- pavilion Woodland Park- pavilion (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F35). Front to side view of the pavilion structure, facing northwest in the park near the common area. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park- barbecue pit
Woodland Park- barbecue pit Woodland Park- barbecue pit (PAc 91-51 Kalispell R24 F36). View of the barbecue pit with a pavilion/gazebo structure in the background for a picnic area, facing west in the park. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Sis Ketcher Date: Mar. 1992
Woodland Park
Woodland Park Photo of park pavilion. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, Photographer Date: 8 October, 2022
Woodland Park<br />
Woodland Park
Photo of building exterior. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, Photographer Date: 8 October, 2022
Woodland Park
Woodland Park Photo of gardens. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, Photographer Date: 8 October, 2022

Location

Conrad Drive and Woodland Avenue, Kalispell, Montana | Public

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Woodland Park,” Historic Montana, accessed March 28, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/463.