Wisconsin Concrete Park is an outdoor museum just south of Phillips, Wisconsin, filled with sculptures created by self-taught artist Fred Smith. You can visit the grounds free of charge every day to see the works, walk the trail and learn about the park’s Northwoods setting.
- Location: N8236 State Highway 13, Phillips, WI 54555.
- Outdoor grounds: Open daily, year-round; admission is free.
- Trail: A half-mile hiking and nature trail.
- Seasonal gallery: The Fred Smith House gallery and gift shop are open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., from Memorial Day through October.
What Makes Wisconsin Concrete Park Distinctive
Wisconsin Concrete Park is distinctive for its large collection of embellished concrete sculptures, created by Fred Smith on his Phillips property. The collection contains 230 to 237 figures and sculptures, along with other objects.
Smith was a self-taught artist and retired lumberjack. He created the sculptures between 1948 and 1964, bringing together local, regional and national history, Northwoods legends, wildlife and subjects from his imagination. Figures include Paul Bunyan, Kit Carson, Abraham Lincoln, Sacajawea, the Statue of Liberty and Ben Hur.
The site became a public park after the Kohler Foundation purchased it in 1976, restored it and gifted it to Price County in 1978. Price County maintains and promotes the park through its Forestry & Parks and Tourism departments, with help from Friends of Fred Smith, Inc.
Finding the Park Near Phillips
The park is at N8236 State Highway 13, just south of Phillips. Timber Inn is in Phillips, the city associated with the park, and you can use Timber Inn in Phillips as a reference when planning your visit.
The Lidice Memorial is another Phillips landmark.
Viewing the Outdoor Sculptures
You can see the sculptures outdoors throughout the year, then follow the hiking and nature trail to take in more of the grounds. Travel Wisconsin describes the trail as a half-mile route. Picnic tables and a grill are among the park’s amenities, so the grounds can also accommodate a pause between walking and viewing the figures.
Stay on established trails, and do not touch or climb on the sculptures. They may contain loose or sharp glass and rusted internal armatures. If you bring a pet, keep it under control or on a leash; pets are not allowed inside buildings.
Access and Visit Planning
The sculpture grounds are open daily, 365 days a year, and admission is free; donations are appreciated. Price County describes the grounds as open around the clock and says daylight is the best time to see them. The Fred Smith House gallery and gift shop have a seasonal schedule, and site facilities also vary by season.
The park has a surfaced road and parking area that can accommodate cars, RVs and tour buses. Restrooms, an information area, picnic tables and a grill are available. The flush-toilet building, drinking fountain and water faucet are accessible from mid-April through mid- to late October, weather permitting.
The Fred Smith House gallery and gift shop are open from Memorial Day through October, Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. An enclosed educational and programming building has bathrooms, electricity and heat. Reservations for that building require a fee and can be made by calling 715-339-7282.
Before you go, check the official site before you go for practical details. The adjacent Rock Garden is used for park events and workshops and is available to rent for private parties.
FAQs
Who created the sculptures at Wisconsin Concrete Park?
Fred Smith, a self-taught artist and retired lumberjack, created the sculptures on his property in Phillips.
Is Wisconsin Concrete Park free to visit?
Yes. Admission to the outdoor sculpture grounds is free, and donations are appreciated.
Can you visit the park year-round?
The sculpture grounds are open daily throughout the year. The gallery, gift shop and some facilities operate seasonally.
Can you touch or climb on the sculptures?
No. Visitors are asked to stay on established trails and avoid touching or climbing on the sculptures because some may have loose or sharp glass and rusted internal armatures.