John H. Dover Memorial Park now encompasses nearly 600 acres for the public to enjoy! Beginning in 1992, the Sindelar Family began gifting the land that would become this gem of a park situated at Mary Street and Five Mile Road in the Heights. The family recently made it possible for Yellowstone River Parks Association (YRPA) to acquire the Homestead and the Gravel Pit, adding to the existing 120 acre park that opened to the public in 2017. In conjunction with YRPA gifts and grants, the Sindelar Family has made YRPA ownership of “The Ranch” possible with a shared vision, concessions, considerations, reduced prices, and long discussions.
Dover Park, as it is known, boasts many amenities making it a community favorite: parking lot, trails for walking or biking, bridges, restrooms, benches, and trail-tunnels under the highway, keeping the 120 acres in one glorious piece.
Billings TrailNet recently partnered with YRPA on a grant application to Mountain Dew for bike repair stations. The two organizations were awarded enough from Mountain Dew to install a bike repair station at Dover Park, plus one at Zimmerman Park and another along the Skyline Trail.
For 30 years, the volunteer-powered YRPA has contributed to the fundamental well-being of this community, creating and/or helping care for 10-12 thriving local parks. We offer our gratitude to YRPA and the Sindelar Family for the gift of this one-of-a-kind shared outdoor treasure.