Preserve Lions Park for Future Generations

Lions Park, a beloved community green space in Red Lodge, Montana, exemplifies the town's commitment to recreation and volunteer-driven development. Purchased by the City of Red Lodge under Mayor Carl Koehn in 1927 the park is located in the Historic Hi-Bug neighborhood along the east side of Villard Avenue between 5th and 8th Streets—conveniently near downtown—it serves as a hub for locals and visitors alike, hosting events like the weekly Farmers Market, annual Art Fair, and the Red Lodge Fun Run for Charities. Its history is deeply intertwined with the Red Lodge Lions Club, a service organization that has shaped its growth since the mid-20th century.

Red Lodge's broader history provides context for Lions Park. The area, part of the traditional lands of the Crow Nation under a U.S. treaty signed in 1851, became a bustling coal-mining town in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, Red Lodge's population peaked at around 6,000, fueled by mining and railroads. As the coal industry declined in the 1920s due to strip mining shifts and economic changes, the town pivoted toward tourism and community-focused projects, including parks.

While exact establishment dates for Lions Park are not precisely documented in public records, its development aligns with post-World War II civic initiatives. The Red Lodge Lions Club, chartered in the 1940s (with formal records noting active projects by the 1950s), played a pivotal role. The club, has long prioritized "Maintaining and improving the Lions Club Park" as a core project. This likely involved acquiring or donating land and funding initial amenities in the 1950s or early 1960s, during a period when Red Lodge was revitalizing its downtown and recreational spaces. The park's name honors this partnership, and the Lions have continued annual contributions for upkeep, including landscaping, equipment, and event support.

By the 1970s and 1980s, as Red Lodge's population stabilized around 2,000 and tourism boomed with the Beartooth Highway (completed in 1936), Lions Park evolved into a multi-use facility. The city's Parks Board, established to oversee such spaces, formalized its role in maintenance. The board meets monthly at City Hall to plan improvements, ensuring accessibility and safety.

Lions Park's amenities reflect iterative community input:

• Pavilion and Picnic Areas: A covered pavilion, likely added in the 1960s–1970s, hosts gatherings.
• Playground: The Moose Trails Playground offers modern equipment for children.
• Sports Facilities: Basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a sand volleyball court cater to all ages.
• Winter Recreation: A temporary outdoor ice skating rink, maintained by the nonprofit Red Lodge Ice (a volunteer group).
• Events Space: Its central location makes it ideal for larger functions, evolving from simple picnics to cultural staples.

The park's design emphasizes inclusivity, accommodating families, events, and passive recreation like dog-walking. Environmental enhancements, such as native plantings, tie into Red Lodge's natural heritage near the Beartooth Mountains and Rock Creek.