Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-06-22
RURAL CENTERS
FOR RECREATION
MUCH ACCOMPLISHED IN NORTH
MONTANA DURING PAST FIVE
YEARS
Work of Soil Conservation Service,
Farm Security Administration and
Local Groups Have Achieved an En-
viabIe Record in Northeastern Area

/ An outstanding achievement In
/ northern Montana In the last five
years has been development Of rec
reatiOnal facilities, largely by the
soil conservation service and the
farm, security administration In CO.
operation with local organizations.
The most important development
has been enIargtng and improving
of the American Legion health
plunge In Phillips county post Of
the American Legion and other
government agencies.
Five years ago the health plunge
consisted of one outdoor swimming
pool and one or two frame buildings.
Now there are two large outdoor SWIM
ming pools, kept constantly filled with
clean running water; a wadtng pool
and an inclosed hot bath. Two large
recreation buildings, showers and dress
ing rooms, an open pavilion and q
pergola over the hot water well have
been constructed of native stone and
timbers. Cabins and one and two room
apartments, outdoor fireplaces and
camping sites are available for tour
lists. The grounds are HANDICAPPED and
athletic fields are provided.
A feature of the plunge is its close
proximity to Nelson reservoir, where
fishing and boating are popular. The
big reservoir has been stocked with
various fish and, because 1t is an inn
portant nesting place for wild fowl,
furnishes sport for hunters. Gree cross
ing, one Of the historic spots In Mon
tana, Is a short distance from the
plunge and the Big Bend country, with
acres of Indian tepee rings, remains
Of old backgrounds, buffalo pits and
other relics OF Indian days Is but a
In Blaine county a natural grove of
trees north Of Zurich has been trans
formed into playground. The site Is
convenient to the farming population
Of Milk river valley and ranch districts
north Of the river. A native stone rec
reation building, an outdoor band
stand, fireplaceS, benches and tables
provide for the family party as well
as q community picnic.
Near Turner q small recreation
building has been erected and outdoor
camping facilities provided The site
is on Woody Island creek adjacent
to the main Canadian road and con-
venient to travellers as well as residents
While the South Wagner community
building comes under q different claS-
sification than the others, 1t provides
recreation for a large group of farm
ers. The building is designed to meet
all the needs Of the farm community
1t has well equipped kitchen, tables
chairs, women's room and q place
for neighborhood dances and enter
tainments and meetings. Regular
church and Sunday school services are
held there and All clubs, home DEM
onstration groups, health clinics, wom-
ems church societies and other organi-
cations meet regularly The grounds are
HANDICAPPED and playground equipment
has been installed. AS many as 900
persons use the building each month,
according to the building calendar.
AS important as any OF the larger
recreation developments In north Mon
tana has been the Transforming of
Stockwater reservoirs into miniature
recreation centers. This was done by
planting trees and shrubs around the
reservoirs and the stocking of them
with perch, bass, crappies and other
fish. The paintings have had the triple
purpose of providing food and shelter
for wtldlife, preventing erosion Of dams
and providing pleasant surroundings
for picnic groups. AS q result Of stock
ing reservoirs and planting trees and
shrubs few families In tine project area
are without some form of recreation.