Deer Park Booster Club

Nestled in Columbia Falls, Montana, Deer Park Elementary has been part of our community’s heart since 1886 — before Montana was even a state. As the longest-running school in Montana, it has seen generations of families grow, learn, and build lifelong friendships within its walls. Today, Deer Park serves over 175 families, still operating from its charming historic buildings — including the original teachers’ quarters that remind us daily of our deep roots.

But while the spirit of Deer Park has stood the test of time, our playground has not.

The current playground is worn out, outdated, and, in some areas, unsafe. Over the years, equipment has broken down — swings are missing, the swing set itself lifts from the ground, and several structures are so old they’ve caused broken bones and injuries. A portion of the playground sits over a septic drain field and can’t be used at all. During Montana’s long, snowy winters, the metal equipment becomes unusable, leaving kids with very few safe options for play.

For our older students, it’s even worse — there’s no age-appropriate equipment, just cracked basketball backboards and limited space to play. What should be a time for fun, friendship, and movement often ends in frustration or boredom.

We’ve dreamed of giving our students a safe, inclusive, and exciting new playground — one where every child, from kindergarten to 8th grade, can laugh, climb, and play together. The new design includes a large play structure with slides, bridges, swings, tunnels, and areas suited for every age group. It will also be ADA-compliant, ensuring children of all abilities can join in the fun.

And this playground won’t just serve our students — it will become a gathering place for the entire community. Deer Park families don’t have a public park within walking distance, so this space would give local children a safe, welcoming place to play after school, on weekends, and during the summer.

Our Booster Club has been fundraising for more than three years, hosting via events, auctions, and bake sales. We’ve raised about 25% of our goal, but we can’t do it alone.

Every dollar brings us closer to giving our kids a playground that’s safe, inclusive, and built for joy.

Please help us make this dream a reality for generations of Deer Park students — because every child deserves a place to play, imagine, and just be a kid.

❤️ Donate today to the Deer Park Playground Fund.

Together, we can give our children the safe, happy playground they deserve.

*Deer Park Booster Club is a 501c3 non-profit and your donation is tax deductible!