Park

Bishop Roberts Park
(Rivervale)
Located on the south bank of White River, Lawrence Co.,IN
Background is photo of stone pulpit that once stood on the riverbank
taken ca:1954 when attending camp
Photo by J. EndrisMr. McClure, of New Albany, once stated:
Rivervale is not an institution or an organization.
It is a spirit.
It does not belong to the officers. It is yours - yours to develop your personality in three ways:
First: Through worship with God.
Second: Through classes with yourself.
Third: Through play and fellowship with your comrades.
If the spirit of Riverale could be carried out into the world, this would be an ideal world.
That is your challenge. May you catch the spirit of Rivervale and carry it through life.
(printed in the Mitchell Tribune, July 9. 1936)

In 1923, land for permanent headquarters and assembly was acquired by the Methodist Conference at Rivervale. A tract of land of 25 acres was given to the Conference by Mrs. Nell (Turley) Fitsgibbons. Citizens of the community proposed to buy an adjoining 40 acres.
The ground given by Mrs. Fitzgibbons was inherited from her father. This same tract of land was also once a part of the farm owned by Bishop Robert Richford Roberts.
The park was originally named for him, but today, is known to most as Riverale.

Park History & Memories