Welcome to Willow Creek Park, a historical gem located in the heart of Lamar, Colorado. This park is more than just a serene spot for relaxation; it’s a piece of living history, shaped by the hands of the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the New Deal era.
The story of Willow Creek Park begins in the early 1920s when the Lamar Rotary Club, led by amateur historian R. L. Christy, envisioned a recreational area for the town. However, it wasn’t until the Great Depression that their plans gained momentum. In 1933, Mayor John Y. Brown resurrected Christy’s vision and applied to the CWA, a New Deal program designed to provide short-term employment during the harsh winter of 1933-34. The proposal was quickly approved, marking the first CWA project in Colorado.
Construction of the park began on November 27, 1933. The project employed 200 local men, who used native stone and traditional methods to build the park’s rustic features. Among these is Pike’s Tower, named after the explorer Zebulon Pike, who is believed to have camped in the area in 1806.
Originally, the park featured a series of dams and a central lake designed to mitigate the frequent flooding of Willow Creek. Although a devastating flood in 1965 destroyed these water features, the spirit of the park endured. Today, visitors can still enjoy the beautifully crafted stone structures, like the Boy Scout kiva and the sandstone shelter house, which stand as testaments to the craftsmanship of the New Deal era.
Willow Creek Park reflects the broader historical context of the New Deal, a time when the U.S. government invested in public works projects to provide employment and improve local infrastructure. This park not only offered relief through jobs but also became a lasting recreational space for the community.
Walking through Willow Creek Park, you can imagine the bustling activity of the 1930s, when local men and youths transformed a barren field into a cherished community haven. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine, offering a glimpse into the past while providing a peaceful retreat for today’s visitors.
