Park Falls, Wisconsin

Park Falls is a small city in Price County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 2,410 people, a bit fewer than the 2,462 counted in the earlier census.

The city is nestled in the woods of north central Wisconsin, mostly inside the Chequamegon National Forest. The North Fork of the Flambeau River runs through Park Falls, splitting the community. This river is well-loved by people who enjoy outdoor activities.

Visitors and locals enjoy many fun things to do in and around Park Falls. The area is a great spot for fishing, where you can try to catch many different kinds of fish. It’s also popular for canoeing, letting people paddle along calm waters. And for those who like a bit of excitement, whitewater rafting offers thrilling rides through the river’s faster sections.

History

Park Falls started in the late 1800s as a small river village named Muskellunge Falls. It was later called Park Falls because of the beautiful scenery around an old waterfall south of the town. With a pulp and paper mill, the town grew quickly and became an official city in 1912.

At its peak, Park Falls had over 4,000 people and a busy downtown area that is still there today. Many homes, especially along 1st Avenue North, were built around the same time and remain affordable for families. New development since the early 1990s has mostly happened along Wis. Highway 13, the main road through the city. Important offices such as a school district, a National Forest Service office, and a state governor office are located in Park Falls.

Geography

Park Falls is a small city in Wisconsin, United States. It is found in the woods of north central Wisconsin, mainly inside the Chequamegon National Forest. The city sits near the North Fork of the Flambeau River, which is a fun spot for fishing, canoeing, and whitewater rafting.

The city covers an area of about 3.83 square miles (9.92 km²), with 3.60 square miles (9.32 km²) being land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km²) being water.

Demographics

2010 census

In 2010, Park Falls had 2,462 people living there. Most people, about 95%, were White. Smaller groups included African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people, as well as some from two or more races. About 1% were Hispanic or Latino.

About a quarter of households had children under 18 living with them. Almost half of the households were made up of married couples living together. The average family size was about 2.8 people.

2000 census

In 2000, there were 2,793 people in Park Falls. Nearly 98% of them were White. Other groups included small numbers of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people, as well as some from other races or two or more races. About 1% were Hispanic or Latino.

Most households were made up of individuals, and about a fifth had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average family size was about 2.9 people.

The median income for a family was $42,930. About 5.5% of families and 10.3% of people lived below the poverty line.

Industry

Park Falls was once home to a big paper mill called the Flambeau River Papers Corporation. This mill closed in 2006 but reopened a few months later. Today, Park Falls has other important businesses, including St. Croix Rod, a company that makes fishing rods, and Weather Shield, a factory that makes windows.

Education

Park Falls has one of the largest school districts in Wisconsin by area. In the school year starting 2009–10, the Park Falls School District joined with the Glidden School District to form the Chequamegon School District.

Transportation

Bus service in Park Falls is provided by Bay Area Rural Transit.

Airport

The city is served by the Park Falls Municipal Airport (KPKF). The airport is located two miles northeast of the city and handles around 6,750 flights each year. Most of these flights are for general aviation, with a small number being air taxis. The airport has a 3,200-foot asphalt runway that supports GPS approaches on Runway 18-36.

Media

• WPFP AM 980, Jack FM Simulcast
• WCQM FM 98.3, Country

Sports and recreation

Park Falls is a great place for people who love the outdoors. With many public forests and beautiful lakes, such as the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, visitors and locals enjoy many activities. Popular pastimes include hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and riding ATVs. The town is linked to many trails for off-road vehicles.

The Chequamegon Screaming Eagles, a local team, have an old rivalry with the Phillips Loggers.

Events

Park Falls has a fun community festival called Flambeau Rama every year during the first weekend in August. Many high school class reunions happen during this four-day celebration.

Notable people

Park Falls has been home to many interesting people. Some of them include Shane Frederick, a professor at MIT, and David Greenwood, who played football for the NFL. Others include Eric E. Hagedorn, a politician and engineer, and Eric Jarosinski, a writer known for his work on social media. The town has also been home to theologians, actors, business leaders, and mathematicians like Magnus Wenninger.

Images

• Sign on WIS 13

• School

• Downtown