1.

MULTI-EVENTS SOFTBALL COMPLEX – located along County Road 18.  Is 37.19 acres in size.  Was a joint powers effort between the City, college, school district and county.  Project was completed in 2000.  Has 7 softball fields and 1 baseball field along with a concession/restroom facility.   Is the home of high school boys baseball and girls fastpitch; Babe Ruth, Legion and VFW Baseball; Little League Baseball; Men’s and Women’s Slowpitch Softball; and Thieves Baseball.  We also play host to several district, regional, and state tournaments

2.

ALAN-A-DALE PARK – located at the end of Nightingale Road.  Is 4.96 acres in size.  This park was donated by Dr. Achenbach in 1991 for a “Nature Park”.

3.

FINSBURY PARK – located at the end of Robinhood Drive.  Is 12.4 acres in size.  This is a man-made park that was made from river dredging material in the mid 1960’s. Due to ice jams in the spring, it is difficult to put permanent fixtures or amenities in the park—including trees.  Mainly a large green space area that is great for exercising your pets.

4.

CENTENNIAL PARK – located on Highway 1 East and Centennial Drive.   Is 9.2 acres in size.  The Park was acquired through a state project.  We have (4) sets of horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, boat dock, and a bathroom facility.  In 1994 the Lion’s Club donated $3,000 to construct a shelter, which was built by Park Department personnel.  There is also water and electricity in the shelter.  In 1991 a $25,000 Riverbank Stabilization Project by the Soil and Water Conservation District was completed.   In the early 1980’s an exercise course was located in the park, however, due to liability issues and lack of use, the course was dismantled.  In the spring of 2004, Northland Community College constructed a parking lot in Centennial Park to accommodate patrons at the Swenson House that was donated to the college.

5.

RED ROBE PARK – located at 8^th Street and Reserve Avenue.  Is 3.31 acres in size.  Formerly known as Indian Village Park.  A bit of history:  After the death of Chief Meskokonaye, Meskokonaye Jr. became Chief and assumed control of the land retained by his father.  Chief Meskokonaye Jr. was coerced into leasing a portion of their land to the Crookston Lumber Co. as a landing but unbeknownst to Chief Meskokonaye Jr. the Department of War later known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs assumed control of all Indian land held in Trust and they had written a lease for this same land for the same time period to another white businessman.  These two white men both asserted their rights under lease agreements and challenged each other in court.  This case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court where it was ruled that Chief Meskokonaye Jr. was indeed the heir to this land and this land was intended to be an allotment rather than a reservation.  With this land being declared an allotment, Chief Meskokonaye was declared competent and a fee patent was issued for this land so the Chief could lease, sell or do whatever he pleased with his own land.  The Chief was not familiar with the ways of the white world and did not realize that with a fee patent came annual land taxes. He leased the land to the Crookston Lumber Company his original leasor and collected the rent for a number of years.  In the meantime, Chief Meskokonaye and his band moved to Red Lake.  He continued to collect the rent but his land continued to accumulate taxes against it, finally it was declared tax delinquent and tax forfeiture proceedings were initiated.  The Crookston Lumber Company paid the delinquent taxes and took ownership of the land thus the reservation was lost.

In 1976, in time for the Bicentennial, a statue of Chief Mon-si-moh was dedicated.  Other additions to the park have been a fishing pier donated by the DNR in 1986 and playground equipment donated in memory of Charlie Emanuel.

This park is used in August for our annual MinnAqua Fishing Clinic.

6.

NORTHROP PARK  - located on 9^th Street and LaBree Avenue at the old Northrop School site.  Is .27 acres in size.  Land was acquired in 1997.   Has an outdoor skating rink on site in the winter.  A fundraising campaign has begun by the Kiwanis Club to develop this park with playground equipment and other amenities.

ELKS PARK – located on 3^rd Street and Davis Avenue next to the Soo Line Railroad Bridge.   Is 1.74 acres in size.  This park is what we refer to as the “Jewel of Parks”.   The Zehlians Club has proudly claimed ownership of this park.  A beautiful paverstone pathway, which follows the river, was installed in 1990 by a labor-intensified workforce that was provided by many service clubs and volunteers.  In 2001, funds were provided by the Zehlians to purchase and install a stunning 12-foot fountain for passers-by to enjoy on foot or in a vehicle.  Four granite benches depicting the four seasons encompass the fountain.  Surrounding the fountain is a perennial bed of breathtaking roses, day lilies, and more.  Other new perennial beds help to showcase our beautiful Elk’s Park.

8.

BOY SCOUT PARK – located on 3^rd Street and Markley Avenue.  Is 1.49 acres in size.   In 1987 new boat docks were installed to accommodate the large number of boaters that utilize this park.  In 2003, the Kiwani’s Club donated two concrete picnic tables.   That same year Ben Tveitbakk requested to enhance the park for his Eagle Scout project.  He installed two concrete benches, two flowerbeds and a park identification sign.

9.

BILL LAFAVE PARK – located on Taft Street and Crocker Avenue.  Is 4.13 acres in size.  A public beach is located at this park.  In 1923 the City purchased “Tindolph Point” for park purposes for a sum of $870.  In 1937 lifeguards were hired for the first time at the Tindolph Bathing Beach with salaries of $35 per month.  The City purchased more land in 1945 for $600 to make the park larger.  In 1946, Prichard Bros. constructed a bathhouse at Tindolph Beach for $9,855.25.  Bill LaFave was appointed on the Recreation Board in 1947.  More property was purchased in 1948 for a sum of $2,000.  In 1950, the City conducted a survey of Tindolph Park to provide parking areas and further improvements.  That year a Merry-Go-Round was purchased for $318.  The City purchased more land in 1957 for parking purposes for $3,876.23.  On December 12, 1972, a resolution was made to rename Tindolph Park the “William LaFave Park”.  William LaFave devoted immense amounts of time, energy and talent to the establishment and improvement of the park and recreation system of the City of Thief River Falls.  A bronze plaque was mounted in his memory in the park so that his great efforts are not forgotten, particularly by the users of the park facilities.  In 1983 the old bathhouse was torn town and new restrooms were built.  A rip-rap project was done in 1996 by the Red Lake Watershed for bank stabilization.  The project cost was $15,205.63 with a cost share to the city of $2,318.35.  In 2000, the river was dredged which helped the weed problem in the swimming area.  That same year, the Gene Beito family donated $5,000 to be used towards tot playground equipment at the park.

10.

ENGELSTAD PARK – located on 1^st Street and Crocker Avenue.  Is 1.32 acres in size.  Formerly known as Eastside Park.  In 1987 the park was dedicated as the “Ole E. Engelstad Park” in honor of Ole Engelstad who was a long-time supporter of recreation.  Received a DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant in 1993 for the development of four tennis courts and a basketball court for a total project cost of $57,233.32.  Local share was $28,616.66.  In 1997 a new warming house was built which includes men’s and women’s restrooms, a large warming room, storage and maintenance areas for a cost of $63,723.05.  Each winter, an outdoor skating rink for hockey and a pleasure rink are put up.

11.

LION’S PARK – located on Nora Street and Merriam Avenue.  Is 2.7 acres in size.  Years ago this park was given the name “The Wizard of Oz Park”.  Later on the local Lion’s Club claimed this park and donated some miscellaneous playground equipment, a restroom, and shelters.  As time went on, the playground equipment was becoming not only obsolete, but unsafe.  A plan was presented that included a modest playstructure where additions could be made as funds were available.  After meeting with the Lion’s members, they decided to go for the gusto!!  A $35,000 playstructure was their goal along with a frisbee golf course for users of all ages to enjoy.  Their goal was reached on October 13, 1999!  In 2002, the Lion’s donated more funds to construct a large shelter by the water tower.   The enthusiastic Lion’s Club continues to do fundraising for future improvements of the park.

12.

ANNIE PARK – located on Annie Street and Markley Avenue.  Is 4.13 acres in size.  Was sold to the City in 1966 by Florentine Kozojed for $1.00.  A skating rink and warming house were once located at the park, however, due to lack of use the amenities were removed from the area.   Playground equipment was donated in memory of Charlie Emanuel in the early 90’s.   A backstop was installed in the park as a result of a request by neighborhood children.

13.

 SOUTH TOWN PARK – located at 500 East Hickory Road.  Is 2.89 acres in size. Playground equipment, donated by Charlie Emanuel, was installed in the early 90’s.   Horseshoe pits were also added to the park in 2003.

14.

GREENWOOD TRAIL/MICHELSON PROPERTY – located on Greenwood Street.  Is 48.5 acres in size.   Walking trails meander throughout the park that are maintained by the Rotary Club.  In 1993 the School District developed an Environmental Learning Lab within the park.   During the summer of 2005, Derek Dahlen began an Eagle Scout project for Greenwood Trails that entails trail improvement, a new identification sign, parking lot upgrading and revamping an existing shelter.  This project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2005.

15.

MILLYARD PARK – located on Pennington Avenue and Hugo’s.  Is 3.8 acres in size.  It’s name originated from the Meehan Sawmill that was located approximately at the Hugo’s site today.  In 1892 this mill opened to process pine logs.  During the long winter months logs were piled on the ice at Red Lake and floated 100 miles down the Red Lake River to this spot.  By 1912 this mill ran 20 hours a day during the summer, but by 1916 it was vacant.  The area around the dam has always been a prime fishing spot—six-foot sturgeons were caught here in 1900.   Two overlooks are available for walkers to enjoy the view of the river.  A grant was received for a handicap-fishing pier located below the dam.

16.

FLOYD B. OLSON PARK – located on 3^rd Street and Knight Avenue.  Is .83 acres in size.  This is one of our oldest parks in the city.  On December 20, 1910, the City Council passed a resolution to purchase property from J.M. Bishop in Block 38 of the Original Townsite of the City of TRF as a site for a Public Market in the sum of $1,296.  Some historians have also called this park the “Haymarket”.  A lot of activity was held at this park mainly due to its proximity within the city.  In 1936 this park was renamed the “Floyd B. Olson Park”, after a former governor.  In the 1970’s the park was downsized and a parking lot was installed in approximately half the park.  In 1996, An Amish Company from Arthur, Illinois constructed a beautiful gazebo in time for our City’s Centennial for a total cost of $29,061.78.  Funds for the construction of the gazebo were strictly donations from citizens, organizations, and memorials. This gazebo served as the focal point for activities for our Centennial and continues to be home for weddings, Thursday evening entertainment in the summer, Christmas lighting ceremony, and other activities and events too numerous to mention.

17.

OAKLAND PARK – located at the end of Baken Street by Oakland Park Nursing Home.  Is 16.12 acres in size.  Ownership is held by Pennington County.   The City Parks and Recreation Department took over the maintenance of the park in 1980.  The County built a new bathroom facility two years ago.  The park needs some major renovation that would include a tree replacement plan, playground equipment, improvement of the walking trail, etc.

18.

SOMERSET PARK – located at 1011 Somerset Drive.  Is 2.4 acres in size.  All green space.  With the new building development, a need for park amenities may be necessary.

19.

TOURIST PARK – located on Oakland Park Road and Highway 32.  Is 6 acres in size.  Formerly known as Friendship Gardens.  Has 16 full camper hook-ups with/cable television and 48 electrical/cable sites.  Each site has a picnic table and some have fire rings.  Bathhouse was built in 1991 at a cost of approximately $60,000.  The park is operated with off-site attendants.  Firewood is also available to purchase.

20.

HARTZ PARK – located on Riverside Avenue along the river.  Is 6 acres in size.  This park was renovated in 2002 through a generous donation of $110,000 from the Hartz Foundation.  The park now boasts a new play structure,  (3) shelters, sand volleyball court, a concrete walking path that connects with the riverwalk, (2) new parking areas and gorgeous flower beds.