Island Park History

1909:   Purchased land from Isaac A. Fancher

1909:   Canal was dug along West side of Island Park

1909:   Named Island Park

1910:   Mayor Deuel proposed a race track for horses and automobiles along with barns, sheds, stock pens, and bleachers, everything a fairground would need.

1910:   An agreement was made for facilities for a county fair at Island Park.

1911:  The track was finished along with a grandstand and all other building requests.

1912:  The Chippewa River overflowed and Island Park became a large lake.  In summer the track was completed.

1912:   In September the first county fair in fourteen years was held at Island Park

1986:   Island park flood

1987:   Tennis courts reconstructed after the 1986 flood

1990:   Pool demolished

1991:   Vietnam Veterans Memorial developed

1992:   Ball fields built, Playground equipment added

1993:   Restrooms built, South pavilion rebuilt

1994:   Timber Town Playscape was built

2000:   Large Gazebo built, walk-down canoe launch added, fishing deck added, main trail (Vets to crossing), Lincoln Street renovation, two bridges, construction of wetland and weir, main path completely through Nelson Park, signage and lighting/railroad crossing/MDOTNew northwest parking (22 spaces), North drive renovation, Completed Riverwalk Trail through Island Park, Completed phase one of the trail, including Island Park to Nelson Park, new wetland construction

2001:   New Island Park sign installed

2002:   Skate park was constructed ($5,000 from the Community Foundation, $5,000 from Park Partnership, $150,000 from Tribal 2% Allocation), new shuffleboard courts added, renovation of Island Park Drive north, constructed the Character Counts! Gazebo

2003:   Tennis courts resurfaced, construction of Island Park parking, installation installed to skate park to help cut down noise