Park Falls, Wisconsin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Park Falls, Wisconsin
City
Location of Park Falls in Price County, Wisconsin
Park Falls, Wisconsin Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Park Falls, Wisconsin Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Price
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
Area
• Total	3.88 sq mi (10.04 km2)
• Land	3.65 sq mi (9.45 km2)
• Water	0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2)
Elevation	1,516 ft (462 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,410
• Density	621.1/sq mi (240.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)	715 & 534
FIPS code	55-61200
GNIS feature ID	1571039

Park Falls is a city in Price County, Wisconsin, United States. It's a small community located in the beautiful woods of north central Wisconsin. The city is split by the North Fork of the Flambeau River, which is a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, and even whitewater rafting. In 2020, about 2,410 people lived here.

History of Park Falls

The city of Park Falls started as a small village by the river in the late 1800s. It was first called Muskellunge Falls. Later, it was renamed Park Falls because of the lovely scenery around the old waterfalls on the south side of town.

The town grew quickly when a pulp and paper mill was built. It officially became a city in 1912. At its busiest, the city had more than 4,000 residents. This growth also helped create a busy downtown area, much of which you can still see today.

Many homes were built around areas like 1st Avenue North. These affordable houses are still an important part of the community. Since the early 1990s, new buildings have mostly been built along Wis. Highway 13, which is the city's main road running north and south.

Park Falls is also home to several important government offices. These include a school district office, a National Forest Service office, and a local office for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Geography and Climate

Park Falls is located at 45°56′5″N 90°26′55″W / 45.93472°N 90.44861°W / 45.93472; -90.44861. It covers a total area of about 3.83 square miles (9.92 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Weather in Park Falls

The weather in Park Falls changes a lot throughout the year. Summers are generally warm, and winters are cold with snow. Here's a quick look at the average temperatures and rainfall:

People of Park Falls

Canadian National station, along the railroad tracks in Park Falls

In 2010, there were 2,462 people living in Park Falls. About 1,096 households were counted. The city's population density was about 684 people per square mile (264 people per square kilometer).

Most of the people living in Park Falls are White. A small percentage of the population includes African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. About 1% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Park Falls in 2010 was 46.9 years old. About 21.4% of residents were under 18, and 22.8% were 65 or older.

Local Industry

The offices of Flambeau River Papers

The Flambeau River Papers Corporation used to be the biggest employer in the Park Falls area. This paper mill, named after the Flambeau River, has been around for over 100 years. It closed in early 2006, which was a big challenge for the community. However, a new owner was found, and the mill reopened in August 2006 as Flambeau River Papers.

Park Falls is also home to other important companies. St. Croix Rod is a well-known company that makes fishing rods. Another factory in the city is Weather Shield, which makes windows.

Education in Park Falls

The Park Falls School District is one of the largest school districts in Wisconsin by area. In 2009–10, the Park Falls School District joined with the Glidden School District. This created the new Chequamegon School District.

Transportation Options

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

Park Falls Municipal Airport

Park Falls has its own airport, the Park Falls Municipal Airport (KPKF). It's located two miles northeast of the city. The airport handles about 6,750 flights each year. Most of these are general aviation flights, like small private planes. The airport has one asphalt runway that is 3,200 feet long.

Media and News

Studios for radio stations WPFP and WCQM

Park Falls has local radio stations that keep the community informed and entertained:

• WPFP AM 980, which plays music similar to Jack FM.
• WCQM FM 98.3, which plays country music.

Sports and Outdoor Fun

Park Falls is a great place for people who love the outdoors! There are many public forests and several lakes nearby, including the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. This makes it a popular spot for outdoor activities.

Some popular things to do include Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and ATV riding. The town is connected to a large network of trails for off-highway vehicles (OHV).

The Chequamegon Screaming Eagles are the local sports teams. They used to be known as the Park Falls Cardinals and Glidden Black Bears before the school districts combined. They have a long-standing rivalry with the Phillips Loggers.

Community Events

Park Falls celebrates its main community festival called Flambeau Rama every year. It takes place during the first weekend of August. Many high school class reunions are held during this fun four-day event.

Famous People from Park Falls

Images for kids

• 

  Sign on WIS 13

• 

  School

• 

  Downtown

See also

In Spanish: Park Falls (Wisconsin) para niños