Local Parks

Parks

PHOTOS BY NEWAGE CREATIVE

Bismarck and Mandan are so lucky to have amazing park facilities that we can all enjoy. Our parks and recreation departments work hard to maintain every single playground, trail, shelter, etc. A lot of the parks are meant to be enjoyed in the warm months, so take time this summer to explore a trail you didn’t know about, find a new park to explore, take in a new view, pack a picnic and eat at a shelter because although we at Bismarck Magazine visited many different parks to feature, there are so many more.

Bismarck alone has 61 parks, 53 playgrounds, over 70 miles of recreation trails and over 3,464 acres of land.

Mandan has about 30 miles of recreation trails and 16 parks with play equipment. They also boast a state park, Fort Lincoln. That’s a lot of exploring to do, so this summer we encourage you to explore a different park each week.

KIWANIS PARK

318 S WASHINGTON ST, BISMARCK

Kiwanis Park is a 13-acre park just south of Memorial Highway. There are two picnic shelters and two playgrounds. This park has a fitness trail loop with four exercise units and two benches with photos and explanations of exercises.

ATKINSON NATURE PARK

1921 RIVERWOOD DRIVE, BISMARCK

Atkinson Park is tucked just off of Rive Road past the Walt Neuens Memorial Horse Arena. There is a 1.65 mile hiking and horse trail that has interpretive panels and lessons. The trail connects to the existing trail system, too. Enjoy watching the 4,000 trees that are to be planted here grow up.

COTTONWOOD PARK

2506 SOUTH 12TH STREET, BISMARCK

With over 200 acres, winding walking/biking trails, youth baseball field, bocce field, soccer, playgrounds and the softball complex most people are familiar with Cottonwood Park. You’re sure to see kids playing soccer at Reichert Field or racing along at the BMX motocross racing track.

GENERAL SIBLEY PARK & CAMPGROUND

5001 S WASHINGTON ST, BISMARCK

Located all the way south on Washington Street this park boasts walking trails, disc golf, a boat ramp, horseshoes, volleyball, and playgrounds. It's free to walk and play, but not to camp. The park includes camping sites for tents and campers with electrical hook-ups.

LIONS PARK

1601 E BOULEVARD, BISMARCK

Centrally located, Lions Park is one of Bismarck’s oldest parks. Trails, a nine-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, skate park and playgrounds are all available. During the winter months you’ll find an ice-skating rink and warming house.

SLEEPY HOLLOW

2899 E DIVIDE AVE, BISMARCK

Sleepy Hollow Park was established as part of the park district in 1977. There is a large picnic shelter and playground. A 3.78 mile walking trail connects to N. 26th St. and there is also a mountain biking trail in this park. Sleepy Hollow is home to Sleepy Hollow Arts Theatre. This summer you can enjoy the musical The Little Mermaid Jr, running July 14-23rd and then Legally Blonde showing July 28thAugust 6th.

SERTOMA PARK

300 RIVERSIDE PARK ROAD, BISMARCK

Another very popular park in town with recreational trails both within the park and beyond the park, with river views. Many leagues spend their summers playing on the sand volleyball courts. There are also tennis courts, horseshoes, and themed playgrounds.

BISMARCK ROTARY ARBORETUM

1329 WARD ROAD, BISMARCK

Hidden within the Tom O’Leary golf course is the walking trail arboretum. Its 10 acres features 29 varieties of trees, natural grasses and gently sloping walkways

KEELBOAT PARK AND STEAMBOAT PARK

1605 RIVER ROAD, BISMARCK

Right along River Road there is interpretive and historic information on steamboat and keelboat transportation along the river. Be sure to check out the two eagle sculptures created by United Tribes Technical College students.

PIONEER PARK

1500 RIVER ROAD, BISMARCK

Located just below the Chief Looking Village Park, Pioneer Park also sits along the river. There is a reservable picnic shelter and more sand volleyball courts.

CHIEF LOOKING'S VILLAGE

2023 BURNT BOAT ROAD, BISMARCK

This park by far has the best views. Overlooking the whole Missouri River Valley, this area features an interpretive trail, telling its visitors all about North Dakota’s first citizens.

ELK RIDGE PARK

3620 COGBURN ROAD, BISMARCK

One of the newer parks to the district, Elk Ridge Park is in north Bismarck. A prairie animals themed playground, an open play area, six pickleball courts along with 1/3-mile figure-eight trail loop make up the park.

EAGLES PARK, UNIVERSAL PLAYGROUND

100 15TH ST NE, MANDAN

The Eagles Park playground right off of the interstate is a new park that was designed considering people's physical, sensory, social, communicative and cognitive abilities. The universal playground is made with special material so that if kids fall it provides a soft landing. The surface also allows people with wheelchairs to easily access the playground.

LEGION PARK

1111 10TH AVE. SW, MANDAN

Located right next to Mandan Municipal golf course is Legion Park. Grassy in the summer and icy in the winter this park is perfect for all the seasons so be sure to check it out.

COMMUNITY GARDENS

The Bismarck/Mandan area is home to seven community gardens. These gardens are not only a source of fresh produce, but of community. The water and land is provided by the BPRD and Burleigh County while interested individuals and families put in their garden, weed it, and enjoy the harvest. There is a fee to rent a plot.

• Locations: Bismarck Municipal Ballpark (303 W. Front Ave.) Elk Ridge Park (3620 Cogburn Rd.) Horizon Park (4800 Durango Dr.) Johnny Gisi Memorial Park (2547 E. Calgary Ave.) Tatley-Eagles Park (602 Airport Rd) Missouri Valley Complex (3715 E. Bismarck Expressway) Mandan Community Garden (north of 7th St. SW and west of 8th Ave. SW)

BISMARCK COMMUNITY ORCHARD 517 W. ARBOR AVE, BISMARCK

Located at the Clem Kelley Softball Complex, the Bismarck Community Orchard is home to apple and plum trees and various berryproducing shrubs. The orchard is cared for by volunteers who adopt a row, but the produce can be picked and eaten by anyone.

CENTURY BARK PARK

700 E. CENTURY AVE, BISMARCK

Century Bark Park has four fields, each for a certain kind of dog to enjoy. Big Paws Field is for dogs over 30 pounds, while Wiggly Field is for dogs under 30 pounds. The Fetch Field is for those interested in a training and obedience area, and if you want to interact with all sorts of dogs, the Furry Field is for you. Open daily from 5 am to 11 pm

DOGTOWN DOG PARK

908 8TH AVE. SE, MANDAN

Open daily from 8 am to 11 pm, the DogTown Dog Park offers a chance for you and your dog to socialize with other dog owners and dogs. The Dog Park includes a grassy area with fully equipped poop bag dispensers, fenced areas, dog walks, culver tunnels, weave poles, bar jumps, and more.

ELKS AQUATIC CENTER

321 W. BROADWAY AVE, BISMARCK

The Elks Aquatic Center is a favorite summer visit in Bismarck. Swimmers can enjoy a splash pad, two slides, an open swim area, and a playground. The pool is open daily from 12 pm to 4 pm. Admission costs $4.

HILLSIDE AQUATIC COMPLEX

1719 E. BOULEVARD AVE, BISMARCK

Another popular summer activity is swimming at the Hillside Pool. The most newly renovated of the Bismarck Pools, Hillside’s complex includes two large waterslides, a tipping cone, climbing wall, lap lanes, and much more. Hillside is open daily 12 pm- 4 pm and 4:30 pm- 8 pm. Admission is $4, $5 to use the waterslides.

PAUL H. WACHTER AQUATIC COMPLEX

205 E. RENO AVE,BISMARCK

Also known as the wave pool, Wachter Aquatic Complex’s claim to fame is the gentle, ocean style waves that are created periodically throughout the swim session. Located in south Bismarck, the complex is open from 12 pm- 4 pm and 4:30 pm- 8 pm. Admission costs $4.

RAGING RIVERS WATERPARK

2600 46TH AVE. SE, MANDAN

On hot summer days, Raging Rivers is sure to be packed with swimmers enjoying the waterpark’s many attractions including a lazy river, Aqua Play area, two speed slides, and two tube slides. Hours and admission costs vary, so for more information, please visit their website at ragingriverswaterpark.com.