Visit Wisconsin Concrete Park
237 sculptures by Fred Smith stand on Hwy 13 south of Phillips. The grounds are free and open daily. This page is the practical layer; the long conservation story stays on the Fred Smith page.
Getting there
The park is at N8236 State Hwy 13, Phillips, Wisconsin 54555, south of downtown Phillips on Highway 13 (about 45.6713, -90.3888). On-site there is parking for cars, buses and RVs.
Hours and admission
- Grounds: open daily. Free admission; donations are appreciated. Come in daylight — the figures read best in sun.
- House gallery / gift shop: Memorial Day through October, Thursday–Sunday 10am–4pm. Seasons change, so confirm on the official site before a long drive.
- The Tavern on site is open for drinks and events and can be booked for gatherings.
What you’ll see
Concrete figures encrusted with glass and found objects, built by Fred Smith between 1948 and 1964 as what he called a “historical panorama.” The cast runs from Paul Bunyan and local legends to national heroes and Northwoods wildlife. The park’s own sculpture guide covers all 237 figures.
Respect the work
These are conserved sculptures, not climbing structures. Please do not climb on the figures. The site is an outdoor museum, and every repair on it is done by hand.
Who saved it
After a July 1977 windstorm tore through the site, Don Howlett and Sharron Quasius rebuilt the damaged figures; the site was deeded to Price County in 1978. Howlett and Stone have cared for it since 1987, and Friends of Fred Smith, Inc. was formed in 1995. Read the full conservation record → Who we are →
Nearby
Phillips has food and taverns a few minutes north. The Price County guide covers the town and the lakes. For beer north of Wausau, see Northwoods pints. Prentice and the Ripsaw Saloon are a drive south, not a walk — plan them as a separate stop, not part of an afternoon at the park.