Kent Pelton Nature Park planned improvements. (Image submitted)
Watford City's vibrant park system is a key quality-of-life feature that draws both newcomers and longtime residents. As the Watford City Parks Department approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, Superintendent Robin Arndt remains dedicated to preserving its legacy while pursuing ambitious improvements for the future.
Sunshine Park
Spring of 2024 saw the completion of a playground addition at Sunshine Park. This new feature expands the offerings of Sunshine Park, alongside an existing basketball court, picnic shelter and more. This project was funded in part by a Rough Rider Fund Community Enhancement Grant. The Rough Rider Fund is a one and a half cent city sales tax that was established in 1998 to support projects that enhance Watford City and the surrounding areas.
McKenzie County Athletic Park (MCAP)
One of the newer, but arguably busiest parks, MCAP will soon benefit from essential infrastructure upgrades. McKenzie County is securing easements and aims to begin paving 24th Ave SW in spring of 2025 to improve access and safety. Additional plans include parking lot paving to enhance the user experience, with the county leading these projects and Watford City Parks supporting the funding. Users of the MCAP can also now utilize two Cal-Ripken/Girls fast-pitch softball diamonds, which were also finished in 2024, and ready for use in Spring of 2025.
Kent Pelton Nature Park
One of the most exciting projects on the horizon is the future addition of an all- inclusive playground at Kent Pelton Nature Park. This zero-entry, sensory inclusive playground would carry a Badlands theme throughout, with equipment designed to allow children of all abilities the chance to participate, play, and be included. The park, which would feature wheelchair accessible and compatible equipment, is complemented by the ADA parking spaces that were completed fall of 2024 at Kent Pelton Nature Park.
The project, estimated at around $1.1million, already has an impressive $700k dedicated towards it, with a Rough Rider Fund grant, Garrison Diversion Project grant, and Park District savings making up the total. A fundraising campaign is expected to begin over the winter of 2024-25, with bids to be solicited in the first quarter of 2025, and construction hopefully underway in spring of 2025. Those looking to help fundraise or make a donation are encouraged to visit https://www.watfordcityparks.com/About/Foundation to get involved.
Hunters Run
A new four-acre park is set for the Hunters Run subdivision, with initial groundwork scheduled for 2025. Planned amenities include a playground, picnic shelters, a basketball court, baseball backstop, and potentially a sledding hill. The project will also involve relocating the bike pump track from Bolken Park. Design and engineering are already underway, with construction expected in 2026-27 as funds and work progress.
Parks Department Maintenance Shop Relocation
Currently, the Watford City Parks Department runs their maintenance and operations out of a shop located near Badlands Elementary School and Wild West Water Park. While Watford City Parks owns the building; McKenzie County School District #1 owns the land. The current lease is set to expire in 2030. The school district has expressed that they wouldn't be interested in a long-term lease as they evaluate their growing needs, leaving the parks department on the hunt for a new home. Preliminary discussions have taken place regarding moving the Parks Department operations to the old McKenzie County Fairgrounds. Potential ideas include retaining the parking lot for Tourist Park along with the RV dump, continuing to use the parking lot as a bus pickup location for Johnson's Corner Christian Academy, all while expanding the footprint of the shop. A second outdoor hockey rink could be added to the location, and a zamboni could be centrally located at the potential new site that would service the new rink and the existing rink at Bolken Park. The potential new space at the old fairgrounds could also see a lengthening of the disc golf holes, an enhanced bike pump track and skate park, and future collaborations with the school for competition sized tennis courts. Discussions between the entity that owns the land, the McKenzie County Fair Board, and Watford City Parks, are ongoing, with no definite decisions made yet.
How The Community Can Help
Watford City's parks thrive thanks to community support. Contributions to the Watford City Parks & Recreation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are tax-deductible and directly fund park expansions and improvements. "We're fortunate to have a community that values the parks and steps up to support them," says Superintendent Arndt. "Healthy, active parks mean a strong, growing population, and we're excited to bring these projects to life with everyone's help."
Reader Comments(0)