When the last bell rings marking the end of the school year, summer in northeast Montana is ushered in like an old friend, sometimes after months of long, harsh winters. The warmth of the sun beckons you to step out of your home and places like Richland Park keep you lingering in the outdoors long after darkness falls.

Situated a few miles from Sidney, Montana, near the banks of the Yellowstone River, Richland Park has been a long-standing fixture of Richland County. Through its decades-long history, the park has hosted countless picnics, organized by residents, local businesses, and the Moose Lodge and has surely served many hotdogs, hamburgers, and slices of cake at summer birthday parties.

Nearby citizens had a special place in their hearts for Richland Park, which is why, in 2006, improvements began, starting with a new boat ramp and access road, updated outhouses, and a perimeter fence. Overgrown and dead trees were removed to make way for approximately 200 trees to be planted strategically around the park. A picnic shelter was built atop the foundation of an old cook-shack, which surely fed many mouths during its heyday.

In 2016, the park received new playground equipment, delighting visiting children. Monkey bars, swings, and a climbing rock were sure to entertain, though the most exciting fixture was likely the zip line. The sixty-four foot Zip Cruise was the first to be built in Richland County and is a popular attraction for all ages. If you’d like your feet to stay firmly planted on the Earth, you can explore the nine-hole disc golf course or make your way down the nature trail.

All this fun is sure to leave you with a rumbling tummy. Lucky for you a wood-fired BBQ and smoker, custom welded by a resident of Sidney, is available for use, allowing you to cook up whatever your heart and your stomach desires. Because of dedicated locals, the restoration at Richland Park has guaranteed it remains a summer staple for years to come.