One of the most bountiful treasures North Platte has to offer is Cody Park.

From its glorious foliage and amazing wildlife display to its Railroad Museum and antique carousel, Cody Park truly has something for everyone.

This beautiful park, located just north of the city on Highway 83, was laid out by the city more than 40 years ago, but its long-term history is the stuff legends are made of.

Roots of the park run far and deep - clear back to days of the Wild West, when names like William "Buffalo Bill" Cody were on the lips of nearly everyone in the country.

"Buffalo Bill" Cody became Lincoln County's most famous resident of all time when he bought 640 acres of land northwest of North Platte. On July 4, 1882, he put on the "Old Glory Blowout," which is now considered to be the first organized rodeo ever held in the United States.

"Let it be known by all that North Platte's Cody Park was the sight of the Old Glory Blowout, July 4, 1882. The highlight of the celebration took place at the Isaac Dillon racetrack, located at the sight of today's Cody Park," reads a bronze plaque, which sits near a life-sized, 800-pound, bronze statue of "Buffalo Bill."

Bryan Mickleburgh, a British artist, created the statue and presented it to North Platte on behalf of the people of England. It was dedicated in June 1998.
The statue is enclosed by a gazebo and surrounded by 48 U.S. state flags on individual flag poles. The flags represent each of the states Cody visited with his enormously successful Wild West Show.

The Union Pacific Railroad made a tremendous contribution to Cody's exhibition after teaming up with him to transport the exhibition to 782 cities in 48 states. In the future, a Buffalo Bill Railroad Car will be featured as part of the Wild West Memorial located at the entrance to Cody Park.

Railroad enthusiasts often enjoy touring the railroad museum area of Cody Park. The museum features a UP3977 steam locomotive that has been on display since 1968. It is one of two remaining 3900 class Challenger type locomotives and is the only one on display.
While touring the park today, one might find it hard to believe that for many years it was a wild, unimproved area that was centered by a large sandpit. In 1937, Park Commissioner Bill Wood set about building a park on the land. Trees were planted, drives were laid out and the sandpit was cleaned up and made into an attractive lake.

In cooperation with the Lincoln County Wild Life Club, birds and animals were added.

Through the years, many area residents have cooled off in the crystal clear waters of the Cody Park Pool, played a game of tennis in the lighted tennis complex or participated in a game of softball on one of four softball fields.

The park also features five miniature children's rides, including a large antique carousel, and several playground areas. According to North Platte Park Superintendent Lyle Minshull, the carousel and some of the rides were purchased in the 1950s from a man in Roscoe, Neb., who was getting out of the traveling carnival business.

In the spring of 1995, Minshull had an idea to brighten up the top of the carousel. He envisioned paintings of the early days that would feature some of North Platte's history.

He asked area artists to create some paintings above the horses on the carousel. Award-winning artist Patsy Smith chose to memorialize the famous North Platte Canteen in her painting.

Minshull said he would like to see at least one more ride added to the park in the future.

"I would sure like to get a little kiddy-sized roller coaster," he said, "but the park just doesn't have the money."

Minshull said the park would be getting a band organ for the carousel sometime this spring.

"We did receive a donation for that, so I get to go to Ohio to go pick it up and learn a little about it," he said.
Visitors to the park usually enjoy the extensive wildlife display area, complete with llamas, peacocks, deer, antelope, geese and ducks. According to Minshull, most of the animals that live in the park are similar to the animals that were featured in Cody's Wild West Show.

Signs placed strategically on the fence surrounding the wildlife area request that individuals should not drop off animals assuming they will be taken care of by employees at the park. Minshull said many animals are dropped off after the Easter season, when people get tired of caring for baby chicks or rabbits.
"The Game and Parks Department recommends to us that we not mix domestic animals with the ones in the wild because they both harbor different diseases and their immunities are different."

A drive down the shady lanes that wind through the park will also reveal a stone fountain sitting serenely amidst the grass and trees. Minshull said the stone that now holds the bowl in the fountain was once the corner pillar of the old McDonald building at the corner of Sixth and Dewey streets in North Platte.

"Evidently they must have remodeled the building at some point and it ended up here in the park," he said.
The concession stand is always a popular place during the summer months. Area residents often line up for reasonable priced food and beverages, including some of the best soft-serve ice cream around.

Although Cody Park is usually enjoyed most during the summer months, area residents flocked to the park during the holiday season in 2003 so they could view the Christmas display and lights that had been moved from their previous home in Memorial Park.
"It did go over really big," Minshull said. "I had nothing but positive reaction to it. Everybody wants us to improve upon it and make it bigger."

Cody Park, an important part of North Platte's historic past and bright future, is truly an asset North Platte should be proud of.