The sandy area now known as the City Beach, was long used by local Tribes during their summer visits. They set up tents, fished and played their stick games. They were still visiting the area until the early 1930s.

The Northern Pacific Railroad acquired the property from the United States government for the purpose of building their railroad to connect the East and West coasts. Although the N.P. acquired the property in 1864, it remained virtually untouched until the rails reached Sandpoint in 1888. The N.P. built a spur from the present-day Ponderay, to about where the center of the beach park is today. They used this spur to remove hundreds of cubic yards of sand. It was all used for fill to raise the rail beds for the new tracks.

From 1888, until 1915, the beach area drew little attention as it often flooded each spring. Erosion left the water much too muddy for swimming.

Around 1915, the city fathers talked about improving the beach area and creating a park. This would require obtaining the land from the Northern Pacific. In 1922, the city negotiated a deal where the N.P. would donate the beach area for the sole purpose of creating a city park.

From 1922 until 1930, the property laid dormant, with little or no improvements. From 1930 to 1932 there were many discussions about improvements to the beach, but still not much activity.

In 1932, Vernon Shook, approached the city with an offer to manage the beach. He proposed gathering volunteers to improve the swimming area, train life guards, give swimming lessons and create an area suitable for family picnics. Vernon was to be paid a small salary but he had to find ways to generate any funds needed for building projects. He took the job with great enthusiasm. He created a grassy area, built a concession stand and bath house. The town supported his efforts and local lumber companies provided building materials at a very favorable price.

In the mid-1930s, the WPA provided funds to divert Sand Creek from its present location to run straight South between the “Old Power House” and what is now the Highway 95 bypass. The Creek then entered the Pend Oreille River just East of the highway. The WPA also provided funds to improve the Vernon Shook beach house.

In the mid-1930s until 1938 nothing significant happened other than providing for a life guard and limited maintenance by the city. Nearly all swimming occurred near the city docks. In late 1938, the city approved a $17,000 bond issue for the purpose of buying machinery and equipment to improve the beach area. The city however, spent the majority of the funds on extending the docks out another 1000 feet.

From 1938 until 1940, the Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Club and other organizations raised funds to build a new beach house and planted grass, trees and shrubs.

In 1948 a devastating flood occurred and wiped out most of the improvements. That same year the Corps of Engineers awarded a $178,000 contract to Sather and Son of Yardley, Washington. The contract called for the raising of the ground level by eight feet, landscaping and repairing the beach house. Sand Creek was also diverted back to its original path under the railroad to the beach area.

From 1949 until 1954 nothing significant happened. The city provided some maintenance and a life guard during the summer months.

In 1954, the Sandpoint Lions Club, at their weekly meetings discussed various projects that they could undertake for the greatest benefit to the community. The top project agreed upon was a Fourth of July celebration. The second top concern was for a long-term project which could be worked on during the entire year. A suggestion was made to adopt a community park project. The large area adjoining the City Beach was an eyesore and would make the perfect project to develop into a park.

Preliminary estimates for park construction were shown to be beyond the financial capabilities of the Lions Club. It was decided that they would undertake this project on a pay-as-you-go basis, with all labor to be voluntary. Every Lions member and their families pledged to contribute to the goal of building the Lions Park. Surplus funds raised during the Fourth of July celebration were to be used as seed money to get the project started.

Archie Yager was selected as the project manager and was the prime mover. Archie spent over one thousand hours individually and kept everyone moving forward, seeking outside volunteers and raising money. Without his leadership, I doubt that this park could ever have been completed.

A mockup of the proposed park was built by Lion Cal Jones’ high school class. The replica was displayed to the community and helped tremendously in raising additional funds.

The area chosen to start first was east of the gravel road and north the current beach house. This area needed to be prepared for grass seeding by providing a transition from the sand to grass. The Lions Club, borrowed a cement mixer, and using the sand from the beach built a concrete sidewalk. They worked nights and weekends and finished the walkway from the beach house to the far southern point. When I mention the Lions, I am also referring to the wives and children of the members. They stood shoulder to shoulder with the men in building the park.

The next areas to be developed were the parking lot and the remaining acreage. Curbing had to be installed before leveling the remaining area. This was done by Bob Sleep and Dan Deshon, both did so below their actual cost. The parking lot was built with donated labor and materials purchased by the Lions. The Sandpoint Highway District provided gravel, a dump truck, loader and grader. Lee Allen, a highway district employee, did all the grading, mixing of the asphalt and leveling it into pavement. Lee did all of this on his own time, working evenings and weekends.

The large area had been partially raised by dredging sand from the lake. This was done by the Corps of Engineers following the construction of the Albany Falls Dam. The city of Sandpoint was at the time rebuilding First Ave. The dirt from the excavation was provided for additional elevation. This left a rough rocky surface and Floyd McGhee was asked to bring in equipment to disk and level this area. He did it all in one full day. Lions members, wives, children and some additional volunteers raked picked up rocks and debris and worked to prepare the area for grass seeding.

In 1954, the Lions started improvements on the park portion of City Beach. Volunteer, Wayne Ebbett, donated his time and his cat dozer to relocate and level sand for the beach. In 1955, he continued his work, moving sand to the north side of the park and also the area directly in front of the current Best Western. He later dug out the area next to railroad to establish the boat basin. That same year, the club built a pumping station and installed the sprinkler system. Estimated costs were $18,000, but with donations and volunteer labor, it was done for around $2,000.

In 1956, the Lions planted 18 trees, raked, rolled and seeded the areas that had been disturbed during the installation of the sprinklers.

In 1957, the large center part of the park was seeded and trees planted by Lions members. The trees were donated by the Civic Club and the Edgemere Grange. The five-year estimate for the project was completed in only three years.

The Lions continued in the beatification of the park, building tennis courts, picnic shelter and other landscaping well into the 1980s. After this, the city took over full responsibility and upkeep.

This story only touches on a few of the many contributions made by the Lions Club to the community. They did so without any funding by any government agency. It is noted that our local business owners were very supportive of the Lions Club and many were also members.

The purpose of this letter is to ask our community to recognize the efforts of the Lions Club by naming the park, “The Lions Park” at the City Beach. Also, to recognize, Archie ‘lager, as the prime mover. He is certainly worthy of a memorial marker of some kind. Without his dedicated leadership this park would not have been made.

Jim Berry is the sole living charter member of the Sandpoint Lions Club. The article was submitted, prior to publication, to the Archie Yager family, the Sandpoint Lions Club and to the city of Sandpoint. There has been overwhelming support for recognition of the Lions and Archie Yager. Without the dedicated help of the Bonner County Historical Society, this article could not have been written.