Projects

Introduction

Castle Rock Park is the largest park in the growing Heights neighborhood, attracting people from all over Billings. This 25-acre park in the Billings Heights currently has large, open playing fields, tennis courts, a splash pad, and a pond, with much opportunity to expand. The Park was originally built in 1982 but was only partially finished. An updated master plan for Castle Rock Park will be like a road map for adding new amenities and features, as well as improving what’s already in the park. An updated master plan would better suit the needs of both today’s Heights neighborhood and the greater Billings community.

Castle Rock Master Plan Website

During the process of updating the Castle Rock Masterplan, there was a website setup for the public to learn more about Castle Rock Park, provide input, or stay up to date on the Master Plan project. If you would like to view the website, click on the link to the right go to the Castle Rock Master Plan Website! 

Public Meetings

During the Master Planning Process, public input was sought to gauge interest in new park amenities and improvements. Castle Rock Park contains both developed and undeveloped areas. The draft master plan was completed on November 2nd. The draft master plan was discussed at the December 2020 Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board meeting on Wednesday, December 9th and later adopted by City Council on in January of 2021. The updated master plan it is available for review HERE

The Parks and Recreation Department hosted a voting contest to help choose the  playground design that was installed at Rose Park. The Rose Park Playground is a destination playground that is proving to be one of the favorites in town! The winning designs that were selected by the community members of Billings were installed beginning the Winter of 2020 and completed in the late spring of 2021. A portion of the project was funded using a Land Water Conservation Fund grant awarded by the State.

The Billings Parks and Recreation Department has completed construction to develop the first phase of the Centennial Park master plan. This was the first “Community Park” developed since 1982 when the department developed Castle Rock Park in the Heights. A “Community Park” is larger than a neighborhood park and generally range from 10+ to 100 acres depending on the community. Community Parks serve a larger area, a radius of one to three miles, and contain more recreation amenities than a Neighborhood Park. City Council  approved spending of $2.46million dollars to complete the first phase of development Centennial Park, which is around 23 acres. Phase one included the complete grading of the site, installation of interior sidewalks, installation an automated irrigation system, and hydro seeding the open spaces. The project also included finishing construction of the Parking lot on East side of the park (accessible from 32^nd street) and installation of a restroom facility.

The Friends of Billings Dog Parks Inc. donated $80,000 to the project for the completion of the fencing surrounding an off leash dog park area and two doggie water fountains. The Department is also planning to use the development of Centennial Park as an opportunity to create an Arboretum, a place where a variety of less commonly used trees are cultivate for scientific, educational, and ornamental purposes. The completion of this project will provide two large multi-purpose open space areas that can be used for sports, community gatherings and other family activities.

The grand opening celebration took place on June 5^th  and included dog demonstrations, food trucks, live music, an inflatable obstacle course and slide, games, and more! The event began at noon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the official opening, followed by festivities for the whole family. This event was made possible by the members of the Centennial Park grand opening planning committee and our generous event sponsors, Century 21 Hometown Brokers, Mayor Bill and Anne Cole, SCHEELS, Faith E Church, Dee-O-Gee, Little Horn State Bank, and Gordon and Robin Olson.

Ponderosa Park Playground

Project Expenses: $198,665

North Park Irrigation System

Project Expenses: $463,306

Lillis Park Court Resurfacing

Project Expenses to date: $38,884

This project is ongoing. We will be installing internal fencing between courts in Spring of 2021 which will complete the project.

Hawthorne Park Shade Structure ($70,000)

Replace Primrose Park Playground Equipment ($215,000)

Replaced the Operation/Bathhouse Building at Rose Park Pool after Arson ($1,900,000)

Replaced Wading Pool at South Park with a Sprayground ($1,100,000)

Replaced Hawthorne Park Playground Equipment ($170,000)

Replaced a 50+ year old irrigation system with an automated system at Veterans Park ($380,000)

South Park playground equipment replacement ($260,000)

Pioneer Park playground equipment replacement ($280,000)

 Castle Rock tennis courts rebuild ($400,000)

Rebuild 3 tennis courts at Pioneer Park ($300,000)

Replace batting cage equipment at Stewart Park($50,000)

 Upgrade Safety Surfaces under 22 public playgrounds ($420,000)

Replaced Waterslides at Rose Pool ($420,000)

Remodel 6 Park Restrooms ($510,000)

• Stewart Park
• North Park Remodel
• Veterans Park Remodel
• Optimist Park
• Pioneer Park
• Gorham Park

Installed 3 New Park Restrooms ($170,000)

• Central Park – New Park Restroom
• Sacajawea Park – New Park Restroom
• Mountview Cemetery – New Restroom

Established Programs