I did a couple of early morning job here while staying at the nearby Best Western. Coming early was nice as the park was empty and there was less traffic on the walking path. I appreciated how they have mileage markers along the path so you can keep track of your distance without some type of technology. I also like seeing the pond with the various birds while making a couple of loops. read more

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I liked this Gibson Park located right outside downtown Great Falls, Montana. I spent the day here yesterday (Sunday) just casually walking about the many paths/trails while of course...saying hello to all the ducks! And that's probably the claim to fame for Gibson Park. It is a nesting area or haven (or call it what you will) for hundreds of Canadian Geese, seagulls and members of the birding family. They all cohabitate together here set around a charming giant pond. So then you may be asking, why only 3 stars? Well, this park could really use a refurbishing. Like, for a day or a week, it needs to cleaned up. The amount of bird poop and small trashy items lying around were pretty evident. Walking beside the lakefront, it just felt like you're stepping on soft manure. And it made for a pretty rundown setting. But really, Gibson Park has tremendous potential. If it were a little more polished, this place could be 5 stars. Regardless, for a quiet Sunday afternoon going for a stroll and taking in some fresh air...I was happy I stopped on by here. I appreciated how some of the mamma ducks had little ducklings following them around. That's just a scene of pure innocence and heart warming. There are paved walkways, plenty of beaches to sit down on, free public restrooms, lots of grassy area to play with your dog, a playground, a skateboard park (but that was covered in graffiti) and even a snack stand area beside the duck pond. For the snack shack, they sell these slushes for $5.25 in a variety of flavors. Also on the outside menu board was cotton candy, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, candy and chips, ya know, all the good stuff that caters to kids, lol. Overall, if you do anything here, I would suggest taking some food with ya to feed the geese and ducks. I brought some pretzels with me (which I crushed up) and put pieces in the palm of my hand which the geese happily and harmlessly pecked out of my hand. So, I guess, I'm also guilty of contributing to the poop around the pond just as everyone else has, lol. Lastly, I'm pretty surprised Gibson Park has only 2 reviews? For a springtime Sunday, there were a lot young families and children present that you'd think this place would receive more recognition? Or, maybe just folks here in Great Falls, MT don't do much Yelping, lol. Either way, I did enjoy my time here and was able to overlook all the stains embedded in the pavement. read more

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We stopped at this park for a roadside lunch. We quickly found a picnic table with some shade. It was so enjoyable, we decided to stay a little longer and walk the park. The walking path is really nice and there is no much room to spread out. The skatepark at this place was awesome. This is a great park and has all that you need and more. read more

Even though this is a beautiful park and actually is named after Paris Gibson (the person historically most responsible for the many parks that were established many years ago for Great Falls to enjoy) the park is generally supposed to be a walking park with distances marked a quarter mile intervals, but has been taken over at times by people walking their dogs. It would not be so bad if the dog owners were responsible and kept their animals on a leash that is short enough to control the pet, but many of them make no attempt to control their nippy mutts for other pedestrians. Many of them also do not clean up behind their pets--despite the fact that the Parks and Recreation Department has provided poop cleanup bags on site. If you mention any of the above to irresponsible pet owners at the park, many of them are just belligerent and sometimes more aggressive than their dogs are. I'm a dog owner and know there is a dog park not very far away from Gibson Park. I think the city should shutdown the walking parks to dog walkers and require the use of the dog park provided. read more

Gibson Park - Parks Near Me - Great Falls, Montana