Last year was such a great success, let’s try to make 2023 even more successful!
Come join us on June 21st at 6:30 PM for the Annual Euchre Night during the Red Cedar Jubilee. 7:00 PM start. $10 per person buy in. There will prizes available for first place, second place and the individual with the most loaners, so be sure to bring your A game. 50/50 will also be available. We’ll see you there!
FOWP to Celebrate New Picnic Shelter with Ribbon Cutting
Friends of Williamston Parks and the Williamston Area Beautification Fund will celebrate the completion of the new picnic shelter at Volunteers Community Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 27. On the corner of Putnam and School streets in Williamston, the event will be held at 4 pm, followed by a free community picnic open to the public until 6 pm.
More than 150 people supported the campaign to raise $29,000, which was matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through its Public Spaces Community Spaces grant program. Major donors include The Bennett Family and Girl Scout Troop 30156, Paul Chesley, The Guter Family, Todd and Gillian Granger, Independent Bank of Williamston, William and Mary Lou Somerville and the Sunrise Rotary Foundation of Williamston. In addition to the picnic shelter, the project included new picnic tables, benches, trash receptacle, concrete walkway connecting the shelter to the playground and three new trees.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities.
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org or e-mail williamstonparks@gmail.com.
Last year was such a HUGE success, let’s try to make 2022 even more successful!
Come join us on June 23rd at 6:30 PM for the Annual Euchre Night during the Red Cedar Jubilee. 7:00 PM start. $10 per person buy in. There will prizes available for the top three players, so be sure to bring your A game and we’ll see you there!
Friends of Williamston Parks and the Williamston Area Beautification Fund have met their goal of raising $29,000 for a new picnic shelter at Volunteers Community Park, on the corner of Putnam and School streets. The money will be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through its Public Spaces Community Places grant program.
“We are grateful to the Williamston area community for stepping up and donating to this cause,” stated Heather Galecka. “Their generosity will make it possible to create a new outdoor gathering space in the heart of Williamston.” More than 150 people supported the campaign. Major donors include Todd and Gillian Granger, The Guter Family, Independent Bank, Williamston Sunrise Rotary Foundation, Williamston Area Senior Center, Paul Chesley and William and Mary Lou Somerville.
Phase 2 of the park’s improvement plan includes a picnic shelter, picnic tables and paved walkway to the playground area, which will be installed in spring 2022. The crowdfunding campaign ran from Sept. 13 to Oct. 22 and raised more than $29,000. For additional project details and updates, visit www.patronicity.com/williamston.
“With the installation of this picnic shelter, Volunteers Community Park will be fully renovated into a new gathering space that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities.
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org or email williamstonparks@gmail.com.
Williamston Sunrise Rotary has made a lead gift of $9,000 to the Friends of Williamston Parks’ (FOWP) efforts to build a picnic shelter at Volunteers Community Park in Williamston.
“Williamston Sunrise Rotary is excited to be part of this project that will further enhance the City of Williamston's park system,” stated Rotary President Wanda Bloomquist. “The Friends are a dedicated group of Williamston residents who are committed to creating a community for everyone to enjoy. The new shelter will provide a space for families and neighbors to come together.”
All funds raised through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places grant program will benefit improvements at Volunteers Community Park on the corner of Putnam and School streets. Phase 2 includes plans for a picnic shelter, picnic tables and paved walkway to the playground area.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $29,000 by October 22, the MECD will double the donations. For project details and to donate, please visit www.patronicity.com/williamston.
“We are grateful for Rotary’s support,” stated Heather Galecka, FOWP president. “This major gift is a big step toward meeting our goal and earning the matching grant from the MEDC. Rotary continues to make a positive impact on this community in so many ways.”
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamston parks.org or e-mail williamstonparks@gmail.com.
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The Friends of Williamston Parks is a volunteer community group working to enhance the quality of life of
Williamston area residents by funding, planning and implementing local park improvement efforts.
Through recreation opportunities and encounters with nature, we believe Williamston area parks are vital
to the community’s character, an asset to economic development and beneficial to people of all ages.
The open grass in Volunteers Community Park will soon house a new picnic shelter if the Public Spaces Community Places grant campaign through the MEDC is a success. Image Courtesy of Friends of Williamston Parks
LANSING, Mich. – Williamston will soon complete its renovation of Volunteers Community Park with a new picnic shelter, seating, and walkway that will be made possible through a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Williamston Area Beautification Fund, and Friends of Williamston Parks announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $29,000 by October 22, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/williamston.
“With the installation of this picnic shelter, Volunteers Community Park will be fully renovated into a new gathering space that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
Volunteers Community Park lies in the heart of Williamston and had been in need of renovation for safety and better use. In 2019 the Williamston Area Beautification Fund and Friends of Williamston Parks teamed up to revive Volunteers Community Park by constructing a new playground to complement the existing basketball courts. Now it is time to complete the revival by creating a new picnic shelter, seating, and providing an accessible walkway from the picnic shelter to playground area.
"The Williamston Area Beautification Fund and Friends of Williamston Parks are grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with the MEDC on this fundraising effort. The Public Spaces Community Places program will help us maximize the Williamston community's dollars and make our vision for Volunteers Community Park as a true gathering space a reality,” said Earl Wolf, President of Williamston Area Beautification Fund. “With every dollar being doubled by the MEDC, we hope to reach our goal of $29,000 raised and install the new picnic shelter in Spring 2022."
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“The Michigan Municipal League is a firm believer in building community wealth in ways that build on existing assets to enhance the human experience for everyone,” said Dan Gilmartin, the League’s CEO and Executive Director. “Making significant improvements to Volunteers Community Park does both. With the support of the Williamston area community, this effort will improve the human experience for everyone for years to come. That is what community wealth building is about.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of Aug. 31, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $9 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 290 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $10.5 million raised from 50,104 individual donors.
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
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Friends of Williamston Parks recently installed a new piece of playground equipment at Williamston’s McCormick Park. Manufactured by Landscape Structures, the boogie board spans 10 feet and can hold multiple children.
“We would like to thank Alec Kolenda, of Go Green Landscapes, and Rob Bennett of Elliott Food Equipment for donating time, equipment and materials to do the installation,” said Heather Galecka, president of FOWP. “It’s a great example of the community working together.”
The investment for equipment and installation materials was approximately $3,000 and funded by private donations.
Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts in the Williamston area. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.
Friends of Williamston Parks held a successful Clean-Up Day as more than 25 volunteers stained, painted, raked, weeded and other tasks to beautify McCormick Park on Saturday, May 8. The 2021 volunteers were Lina and Sean Chapman, John Bollman, the Bennett family, the Bertolino family, Shawn Elli, Jill Cutshaw, Carolyn Schein, the Rogers family, the Gailitis family, Teri Nelson, Earl Wolf, Mark Steinberg, Joe Wheeker and Todd Carlisle.
“Thank you to the families and individuals who worked hard during three shifts on Saturday. Also, I would like to thank D&W Fresh Market for providing refreshments,” said Heather Galecka, president of Friends of Williamston Parks.
Surf’s up at Williamston’s McCormick Park this summer. Friends of Williamston Parks plans to install a new piece of playground equipment in the wooden play structure. The boogie board replaces the trolley ride, which had been removed last spring due to updated safety regulations.
Image courtesy of Landscape Structures
Manufactured by Landscape Structures, the boogie board spans 10 feet and can hold multiple children. The investment for equipment and installation materials is approximately $3,000. If you would like to contribute to the cost of this item, please send a donation to WABF, PO Box 116, Williamston, MI 48895 (memo: FOWP) or via PayPal at williamstonparks@gmail.com.
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts in the Williamston area. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.
Like many organizations, several of Friends of Williamston Parks’ projects were put on hold due to COVID-19 precautions. However, the board met regularly outside and via Zoom to work toward the group’s goals. While Williamston’s parks were closed as a precaution for a short period of time, they provided a recreational outlet for many people during this time of social distancing.
FOWP participated in an outreach event at the Williamston High School in January 2020 and secured contact information for eight new volunteers. In June, the group held a workday to clean up McCormick Park and reseal a portion of the wooden play structure. Members also surveyed the city playgrounds for upkeep needed and made minor repairs. FOWP contributed funds toward the additional mulch required to maintain a safe play surface.
The FOWP Little Free Library in McCormick Park continued to serve the community. FOWP board members and the public helped keep it well stocked.
In the fall, employees from Williamston’s Independent Bank gathered for a community service day to stain and seal several tree sculptures in McCormick Park. The bank also made a $500 donation to FOWP.
FOWP secured a private donation of $10,000 for the proposed picnic shelter at Volunteers Community Park, bringing the group more than halfway to its goal for that project. Fundraising and planning for the picnic shelter will continue in 2021.
Awesome job ladies!!!! FOWP would like to say THANK YOU to the volunteers from Independent Bank of Williamston who fulfilled a Columbus Day Community service project today at McCormick Park.
Veronica King, Amy Stevens, Kathy Sparks and Carol Kotesky performed much needed scraping, cleaning and sealing on 3 of the park wooden sculptures.
Thank you so much for your time and service.
2020 Park Clean-up day will be June 6th from 9 am until 1:30 pm at McCormick Park. A household may sign up for one slot. Individuals will work at a safe distance apart. Tasks include staining the slats and play structure, painting, sealing wood sculptures and general trash removal and cleanup. Please review the available slots if you're interested in signing up. Thank you!
In 2019, Friends of Williamston Parks’ efforts primarily focused on the new playground at Volunteers Community Park in Williamston. In the first quarter of the year, the final $30,000 needed was raised from grants and private donations.
The organization achieved its goal of installing a new playground on July 25, 2019, following a three-day Community Build. Under the direction of a playground installation supervisor from Miracle Midwest, 20 volunteers worked each day to install the playground equipment. It features four different elements: a play structure, four swings, a Ten Spin, and a Tri Totter. Designed for ages 2 to 12, the equipment offers a wide variety of play and movement experiences—to swing, bounce, slide, climb, jump and spin. In addition, two trees, two benches and two trash cans where added to the play area.
Many contractors donated services to make the installation possible, and several local restaurants donated food for the volunteers during the Community Build. Funds for the playground project were provided by Williamston Kiwanis, Capital Region Community Foundation, Williamston Sunrise Rotary, Red Oak Foundation, Old Nation/FeelGood Tap, Dart Foundation and many private donors.
In addition to the positive community feeling created by the successful volunteer build effort, families, caregivers and daycare providers benefit daily from this new playground. People are using the park and enjoying the equipment, which has a lifespan of 30 years. As the park is free and open from dawn until dusk, an exact number of users is difficult to determine.
The City of Williamston embraced the project and invested in professional park planning services to develop a master plan for Volunteers Community Park. They completed the excavation for the project and contributed to the overall appeal of the park by putting in a concrete walkway border and additional landscaping. In response to citizen requests, a portable restroom is available spring through fall.
In other activities, FOWP continued to assist with McCormick Park upkeep and manages a new Little Free Library near the Tot Lot.
Next year’s focus areas will be Phase 2 of the Volunteers Community Park Master Plan, which includes a picnic shelter and additional walkways; exploring options for a skate park; and increased communication with surrounding communities. FOWP also will continue to work toward becoming an independent nonprofit.
Williamston Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the City of Williamston and the Friends of Williamston Parks to celebrate the opening of the new playground at Volunteers Community Park. Thanks again for everyone's hard work on this project!
When the kids need a break from playing, visitors to McCormick Park can now enjoy a story together on a bench or underneath a shady tree. The newest addition to the Williamston park is a Little Free Library, located near the Tot Lot and wooden play structures.
"We had hoped for years someone would be interested in doing this," Williamston Parks and Recreation Commission member Earl Wolf said. "Finally a talented person stepped up and built this beautiful addition to our playground area."
Managed by the Friends of Williamston Parks, the Little Free Library was constructed and donated by an anonymous Friend of the Park.
Some were lifelong Williamston residents. Some helped build the McCormick Park playground. Some recently moved to Williamston. All of the more than 70 volunteers who came to Volunteers Community Park had one goal: a new playground. They dug holes, tightened bolts, shoveled mulch and more July 25 to July 27.
“I chose to volunteer because this was an opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to my family,” stated volunteer Amanda Gailitis, mother of two. “I enjoyed the experience and connecting with others in the community. I am proud of the beautiful space our community will be able to enjoy for years to come.”
The $70,000 project at the corner of Putnam and School streets includes a play structure, four swings, a Ten Spin, and a Tri Totter. The work was completed under the supervision of Juan Bradford, community build supervisor for Miracle Midwest, the playground equipment manufacturer.
“You had a dedicated crew that worked extremely hard all weekend,” he said. “I hope everyone had a good time and will have fond memories of this build.”
While the installation was taking place, daycare provider Beth Fryer walked by with several children and watched the progress. “It will be so nice to have a park on this side of town, and not have to cross Grand River Avenue,” she commented, adding that the kids she cares for will be “park angels” and pick up trash and help take care of the space.
Volunteers Community Park is owned by the City of Williamston and featured a playground for many years until the equipment became unsafe due to age and deterioration.
Organized by the Friends of Williamston Parks, the project was funded by private donations, grants and fundraising events. Major donors include Beck Mobile Concrete, Capital Region Community Foundation, Dart Foundation, Elliott Food Equipment, Todd and Gillian Granger, Old Nation Brewing Company/FeelGoodTap, Red Oak Foundation, Stevens Construction & Excavating, Williamston Kiwanis and Williamston Sunrise Rotary.
The City of Williamston will reopen the park once it completes the concrete border around the playground in the next week. After that, all the new equipment will be accessible. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.
Williamston community leaders broke ground today on a new playground at Volunteers Community Park, located at 101 School Street on the south side of Williamston. The $70,000 project includes four elements: a play structure, four swings, a Ten Spin, and a Tri Totter. Designed for ages 2 to 12, the equipment offers a wide variety of play and movement experiences—to swing, bounce, slide, climb, jump and spin.
More than 75 volunteers will install the playground on July 25, 26 and 27 as part of a community build effort under the supervision of a Miracle Midwest playground equipment representative.
“We are thrilled to bring a new playground back to Volunteers Community Park,” stated Williamston Mayor Tammy Gilroy. “This would not have been possible with the strong public/private partnerships we have and the dedicated volunteers in this community.”
The project was funded by private donations, grants and fundraising events. Major donors include Capital Region Community Foundation, Dart Foundation, Elliott Food Equipment, Todd and Gillian Granger, Old Nation Brewing Company/FeelGoodTap, Red Oak Foundation, Stevens Construction & Excavating, Williamston Kiwanis and Williamston Sunrise Rotary.
For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.
With the help of 75 volunteers, there will be a new playground coming to Williamston in July. Friends of Williamston Parks seeks volunteers to participate in a community build, in which volunteers assemble the playground under a supervisor from the playground equipment company, Miracle. The new playground will be located at the City of Williamston’s Volunteers Community Park on the corner of School and Putnam streets.
The build dates are July 25, 26 and 27. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old and able to work a minimum of a half-day shift. To volunteer for the playground community build, contact Heather Galecka at 517-285-7607, email williamstonparks@gmail.com or register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4ca5a92fa0ff2-community .
The playground will encompass an area approximately 85 by 50 feet next to the Trent Allen Memorial Basketball Courts. It features four elements for ages 2 and up offering opportunities to swing, slide, climb, hang, balance, spin and bounce.
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts in the Williamston area. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.
The Friends of Williamston Parks (FOWP) will host a euchre tournament on Wednesday, June 19 in the Lions Club’s Food and Beverage Tent during Williamston’s Red Cedar Jubilee. Buy-in begins at 7 p.m. and play starts at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the Lions. The tournament will be located in the northwest corner of the tent. The event will feature a 50-50 drawing and other prizes. All proceeds will go toward funding a new playground at Volunteers Community Park located at the corner of Putnam and School streets in Williamston.
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks or the euchre tournament, visit www.williamston parks.org or e-mail williamstonparks@gmail.com. and Beverage Tent during Williamston’s Red Cedar Jubilee. Buy-in begins at 7 p.m. and play starts at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
With the help of donations from Williamston Sunrise Rotary and Dart Foundation, the Friends of Williamston Parks (FOWP) has met its fundraising goal to build a new playground at Volunteers Community Park on the corner of School and Putnam streets in Williamston. Installation of the playground is tentatively set for late July and will take place as a community build, in which volunteers assemble the playground under a supervisor from the playground equipment company, Miracle.
“Local parks play an important role in the vitality and well-being of a community, and safe playgrounds are an important component,” said Emily L. Matthews, Dart Foundation Manager. “The Dart Foundation is pleased to help support the Friends of Williamston Parks and their efforts to improve this space for children and their parents.”
The playground will encompass an area approximately 85 by 50 feet next to the Trent Allen Memorial Basketball Courts. It features four elements for ages 2 and up offering opportunities to swing, slide, climb, hang, balance, spin and bounce. Costs to complete this project total $70,000.
According to incoming President Brian Tort, Williamston Sunrise Rotary will contribute a portion of its Jubilee Duck ticket sales to the playground project. “The new playground will make an immediate positive impact on Williamston's south side, bringing added quality of life, recreation and value to the surrounding neighborhoods,” he added.
According to Heather Galecka, president of Friends of Williamston Parks, “The Rotary pledge and Dart Foundation grant allowed us to meet our goal and make the playground a reality this summer. We are so grateful to them and the other community organizations, businesses and individuals who have contributed to this cause.”
The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts in the Williamston area. To volunteer for the playground community build, contact Heather Galecka at 517-285-7607 or williamstonparks@gmail.com. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.
Friends of Williamston Parks
P.O. Box 116
Williamston, MI 48895
williamstonparks@gmail.com
(517) 285-7607