Recreation Park

Recreation Park

Since at least the 1870s, horse races have been run at Train’s Driving Park which was located west of the Flat River and south of King Milling.  A new grandstand and judge’s stand was built in 1883. Jarvis C. Train was the first manager of the races followed by J. J. Teachout.  J. C. Train owned the house and barn just west of the Driving Park between the Fallas Canning Factory and the Kellogg Vinegar Plant on S. Broadway. Train passed away in 1905 due to injuries from being kicked in the head by a horse. Soon after, Mrs. Hiram Robinson and daughter moved into the Train house.

In 1910, several businessmen joined together to purchase Train’s Driving Park including the Train house and barn and twenty acres of land to retain the area for recreation purposes and then to turn it over to the village. Recreation Park was born. Holiday horse races continued. In 1919, the grounds were refitted for baseball and a grandstand was provided. A new fenced horse arena was built in 1946.

In 1964, the City Council deeded the area with the baseball diamond, football field, track and tennis courts at Recreation Park to Lowell Area Schools with a reversion clause so if the school ever stopped using it, it would return to the City of Lowell.

Burch Field is a part of Recreation Park. It was named in honor of Lowell High School Coach Carrol “Chris” Burch who coached Football from 1937 until 1962. He was the winningest coach in Lowell history up to that time compiling a 72-57-7 record. He was Lowell’s Mr. Football. He was also a community supporter and Showboat entertainer. “Burch Athletic Field” was dedicated to him on Sept. 27, 1974. He passed away in 1988.

Images:
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Pre 1910 the Lowell High School football team in front of the grandstand with a hay wagon in back.

Signatures of Friends who attended the dedication of Burch Field, 1974.

Arrow points to the Recreation Park entrance arch on South Water St. south of King Milling silos.

The covered grandstand is just inside the entrance, c. 1945-1958.

Football Game

Grandstand and row of tents along east side of ball field at Recreation Park during Centennial, 1931.

Lowell Recreation Park entrance arch can be seen in front of Ferris wheel, 1931.

1946

Notice the trees surround the park and that tennis courts are in the foreground, 1954-58.
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The Grandstand was destroyed by a storm in 1995.