According to old minute books, the City of Orofino on Feb. 16, 1931 purchased City Memorial Park for $650. Over the years, the area has seen a lot of different uses. Early on, it was a garbage dump that from some historical accounts was infested with rats that were a problem to nearby properties. Orofino's branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was instrumental in working to get the area cleaned up.

Another community group was instrumental in raising funds to pay for some of the early children's play equipment.

With its location right on Orofino Creek and the Clearwater River, it has seen a lot of flooding over the years. The flood of 1948 took out several of the buildings. The pavilion that many people remember was a place for dances, basketball games, graduations and other community events was severely damaged by the flood of 1964 and torn down. If you look at the dike during lower water levels, you can see a rock wall that is lower than the present structure with the walkway on top. Even the higher dike is not a guarantee that water from the river and creek won't, at times seep through.

When we came to Orofino in 1990, there were a lot of activities in the park from baseball games and Orofino Lumberjack Days and the Clearwater County Fair to family gatherings, weddings and church services. It was also used for Old Fashioned Sunday and the Show and Shine. Some of those uses go on today. Some attractions have been added in the last few years like the splash pad, new bleachers at the arena and a sand volleyball court and a Little Library. Some of the development has been done with grants, some by community groups and some with city funds or in-kind labor.

I can even remember hearing about a cougar that decided to take a look at some of the summer activities that were going on that day.

Please, share your favorite memory of activities at the Orofino City Park. Send your email to info@windowontheclearwater.com.

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