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McCormick Park is located at 300 N Putnam Street in Williamston, Michigan and sits on the banks of the Red Cedar River. Since 1931, improvements to McCormick Park have been due to volunteers and community organizations who care. Father Francis McCormick was Pastor of St. Mary’s Church from 1929 to 1945 and was influential in transforming the land, which was a trash dump at the time, into a park in the 1930s. The park was therefore named in his honor. At one time, there were boat rides in the Red Cedar River and a wading pool just west of the present location of the Tot Lot. In 1996, the Building Memories Playground Project built the original wooden play structure over a 5-day period with the help of a ton of volunteers. In 2000, the Sunrise Rotary Club funded a new park pavilion. In 2007, a tornado touched down and the park lost many of its mature trees. In 2008, the Wall of Honor was installed by the American Legion to honor area veterans. This same year, the American Legion Bandshell was turned over to the city. In 2009, the Emerald Ash Borer destroyed 22 mature ash trees. Also in 2009, the Tot Lot Playground was installed by the Kiwanis Club. Later that year, a Tree Sculpture Festival was held to make art out of the trees that were lost to the tornado and the Emerald Ash Borer. Chainsaw artists came from across the Midwest and competed for prizes. In 2010, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant was award to the City of Williamston to construct pathways, lighting, a fishing pier, and a concession stand. In 2015, Friends of Williamston Parks (FOWP) was formed with the support of Williamston Rotary, Williamston Kiwanis, and the City of Williamston to save the wooden play structure from demolition and to raise funds for a major renovation project instead. A classic car and riding lawn mower were raffled off to help raise funds, along with personalized fence slats. In 2024, FOWP hosted Chainsaw Art in the Park to bring 10 new chainsaw art sculptures to the park to replace the ones installed in 2009 that were decayed and no longer safe for the public space. The event drew thousands to the community. In 2026, a gaga ball pit was installed by Williamston Scouts Troop 63 as an Eagle Scout service project. It’s all due to volunteers wanting to make our world a better place that parks like this exist, so please keep giving back to your community and take good care of our parks. Amenities: Boat Launch, Fishing Dock, Bathrooms, Band Shell, Pavilions (2), Picnic Tables & Grills, Wooden Play Structure, Tot Lot, Gaga Ball Pit, Little Library, Volleyball Court, Pickleball Courts (2), Concession Stand (special events), Open Grassy Area, Baseball Backstop, Walking Trail
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