Clark Park — Local services in Butte

Somewhere in Idaho, we stop for gas. My girlfriend goes to the bathroom. I call her dad and tell him I’ve got the ring in my pocket and I’m gonna propose somewhere romantic on the road today.

Turn around and she’s standing right behind me, listening.

Get in the car and I’m deflated, she’s saying “pretend I didn’t hear it!” It’s raining all day, no place is romantic, plus the surprise is ruined. How can I salvage the surprise?

We pull off in this little town and head to this little park to let our dog pee. There’s a mean-looking dude walking a pit bull and some middle schoolers look like they’re up to no good on the swing set. I get on one knee. Surprise!

One day I hope we’ll be back at Clark’s to...

Coolest swings in the country! We remembered this park from our trip 2 years ago. The cowboy swings are unique to Butte and were originally made for Columbia Gardens amusement park for the mining families. Yes, the playground here is a bit worn down and the bathrooms aren't great. That's why I gave 4 stars, but there's plenty of room and the older equipment is still standing for a reason: it's METAL! Those of us who remember steel jungle gyms, slick slides, Merry go-rounds and the like will have a trip down nostalgia lane. The first time I came here, I called my little brother and told him "this playground is a lawsuit waiting to happen...and IT'S AWESOME!" Watch for goose poop and...

Man o man, I felt guilty leaving this park as much of the equipment is rusted, worn down and nonfunctional. Hopefully someday someone who actually cares about butte will take over and renovate these parks. Make sure your kid is up to date on their tetanus shot as the likelihood of getting a rusty cut is high. If I could give 0 stars I would, this park made me sad for kids who don’t have...