175 - Heritage Park and Musical Play
This photo shows Heritage Park in Hazen, ND, featuring open green space with benches, picnic tables, and a covered shelter surrounded by trees and landscaping.
This wedge of land between the BNSF Railway and Main Street is a vital piece of Hazen’s recreation and entertainment scene. Heritage Park is aptly named for its association with the railroad, which itself was the impetus for the town’s founding in 1913.
Initially, Hazen was located on the Knife River Branch Line of the former Northern Pacific Railroad. Its depot, now the public library, was abandoned from use and moved to its location in 1981. The property was used as a public park, library grounds and gathering place for many decades though it wasn’t formally deeded to the city until 1990 when BNSF underwent a large-scale disbursement of excess property. On Memorial Day in 1916, three years after the town was founded, it was the site for a hot air balloon launch attended by hundreds. Hoping to break its 5,000-foot altitude record, the town was buzzing with excitement. However, it quickly turned to devastation when the balloon caught fire, killing one of the crewmen.
Starting in the 1970s, the park featured a collection of historical buildings and furnishings to preserve some of the town’s heritage. They were removed in 2015 after falling into disrepair. Two years later, the park underwent a transformation with the addition of the lighted walking path, canopied events
shelter, and landscaping, all made possible by generous donations from businesses, industry and individuals. The Musical Play Place with large-scale outdoor instruments, was added in 2021 to celebrate children and the arts and was dedicated in memory of Bonnie Johnson, a longtime supporter of the arts in Hazen.
Owned by the city of Hazen, Heritage Park is popular for summertime music concerts, picnics, and social events. Heritage Park is also home to the annual Chalkfest, a two-day celebration of art, music and food held in mid-August. The festival is one of Hazen’s premiere events, attracting people from across the region. As Chalkfest continues to grow, more improvements are planned for the park and have created quite the buzz in the community of Hazen.