In the mid 1990s, a couple of little girls wrote a letter to the city council, asking them to please fix up the city park. No improvements had been made for many years and it was in pretty sad shape.

As a result of this request, a Park and Recreation Board was formed. A plan for the park was drawn up by a professional, and a five-year plan was presented to the city council who ultimately approved it.

The first year and second year, the most important addition, new  play equipment, was purchased and installed. In succeeding years, planters, a park sign, a skateboard park, new benches and picnic tables have all been added to the park for the enjoyment of park-goers.

Also at the park are tennis, volleyball, and, basketball courts, soccer and softball fields, an enclosed shelter and an open shelter.

There are two very different areas of the park - open grassy areas perfect for softball and soccer  and a heavily wooded section where you can almost imagine that you have been transported out of the Midwest into a woodland forest.

Land for the park was donated to the city in the late 1800s by Richard Sykes. Sykes had purchased the land in Larchwood from the Close Brothers of LeMars, IA, who in turn had purchased it from Jesse Fell, who was the founder of Larchwood, laid out the park  and planted most of the now mature trees in town, including the European Larch trees.

Click on gazebo for larger image