Wibaux.

Grew up one block from there. Had play equipment, wading pool, fountain (didn't work), friendly parkman, lots of trees and lots of room. In the winter, lots of snow piles to tunnel into.

Thoughts?

**Maurice R Hilleman Park, a.k.a. the Pumping Plant. I remember good times there as a kid at family picnics on summer holidays when it seemed half the town was there.

And I remember some great informal Sunday morning softball games there in the late 70s.


**Hint . . . Hint.

I liked Leon Park.

I must be old. When I was very young the Wibaux fountain worked. Wibaux Park seemed a magic land far, far away. Triangle Park was a block or two from home, a big advantage. Riverside, aka City, Park was huge, the back end being a forest which could contain anything. The Pumping Plant was for special events: picnics where they always ran out of Coke and 7up in the first five minutes and kids dug around in a big icy tub of grape, creme and strawberry soda hoping a cola, or at least a root beer, had been accidentally missed.

Ah, I remember triangle park - my grandma lived across from Washington school... took me there a lot. Great memories of summertime picnics at the pumping plant, too.

Favorite - Wibaux. It was close to where I lived but I loved it.

I remember, one summer, waaaay back in the day (okay, the 70's) when it was the round, cement pool (wish I had pictures of that thing!). The park manager was filling the pool up with water from the sprinkler piping. He had already cleaned the pool and was filling it up by shooting water in at an angle. I hopped in (just wearing my summer shorts and tank top) and floated on my back - the current swirled me round-and-round the whole diameter of the pool.

I just enjoyed the hot day, the cool water, and staring up at the clouds for what seemed like forever.

[This message has been edited by Dan Mowry (edited 2/7/2008).]

Wibaux Park was the best. My sister was married in 1984 in the park and the water fountains were turned on for her ceremony and pictures. I think that was the only time I ever saw the fountain work.

Wibaux Park -

I remember the hot sidewalk burning my feet as I walked the few blocks straight south on Strevell, the smell of summer in my nose, the touch of summer on my shoulders, and the sound of cicadas in my ears.

I came back home and it's all still here. Some spring/summer/fall evenings I sit on my front step, sit quietly and gather it all around me. You can come home again to Miles City.

The cement pond on Stower and 8th in the summer. Clark's park off 7th had a great big tires to play on. The cement pond no longer has a pond and Clark's park is totally gone.

I grew up next to Wibaux Park, so it has to be my favorite. Played lots of frisbee there, kissed a few girls, and drilled some squirrels with snowballs too. Even though I no longer live in Miles City, I am still a little disturbed to see the "No Dogs" signs at the corners. I understand the "litter" problem associated with dogs. But come on people. A park with no dogs running around chasing squirrels? I think the terrorists have won.

Clark's park! Yeah, That was a favorite of us northside kids. Mr Clark would take a garden hose in the winter and ice over part of it to make a lumpy skating rink for us to twist our ankles on. It was great fun

Love all the parks in Miles City. Wibaux was where I learned that you should NOT get your toes of your tennis shoes stuck on the swing or you'll get rock burn on your knees! I have always loved the squirrels. I spent many many hours laying on the fountain solving the problems of life. The city park was where I'd go to watch the squirrel lady when I was very small. She wore a big black coat and would feed the squirrels every day. Anyone know who she was? And the Pumping Plant. Who can forget the super tall slide and old wooden merry go round? But the best part was rolling down the hills! Ah...the simple joys.

What I love about old Triangle Park is how it is always in use! May only be one adult and one small child but there is almost always someone there. Not fancy or flashy but well-loved.

Tot Lot.

I know its not in MC, but is Woodruff Park still open?

If you mean the one out at Knowlton then yes, it's still there and still the site of a few community picnics every year.

I thought I heard that Wooddruff park had been closed.

I was having temporary brain lock, the park I was talking about is not called Woodruff park. Please disregard my post .

[This message has been edited by Levi Forman (edited 2/12/2008).]

Richard,

Woodruff is still open. They have an unlocked gate there now because there are cattle in the first part. We were up there this fall and it hasn't changed much since I was a kid.

Woodruff Park is about 12 miles east of Miles City on U.S. Hwy 12. I believe the park is owned by Custer County.

Does anyone know the history of the park or how it came to be owned by the county? Was it gifted to the county by someone named Woodruff?

- Dave

I think it was named after Claude Woodruff. Perhaps the MC.com resident historian, Mr. Petro, can fill us in on all of the details.

It sure was a fun place to sled.

Thanks for the complements, Richard. Although, they don't really fit. Woodruff Park was named for county comissoner, Claude Woodruff, somewhere back in the dark ages, but I can't remember when. It's one nice little park but I understand the county decided not to keep it up anymore. Too bad. Maybe mcgirl, who's husband, I believe, has the pasture between Hiway 12 and Woodruff could tell you more.

Wibaux Park is my vote also.
I remember splashing in the old cement pool, climbing up the very tall (or so it seemed at the time) slide ladder and sliding down and just running around among all the great trees.

I even recall a few school 'play days' held there where we did those athletic events such as archery and foot races for ribbons each year (bringing our lunch in a bag that day).