Spring 2026 Newsletter
Our Very First Newsletter!
We are very excited to offer a new way to stay involved with the Friends of Williamston Parks - a seasonal newsletter! This edition covers events in the spring months of March, April, and May. We will share information on activities at local parks and opportunities to get involved, continuing to grow and refine our communications as we go. Thank you for being a subscriber!
Announcing our Board of Directors
We are happy to announce the following individuals as the Friends of Williamston Parks (FOWP) Board of Directors:
Lina Chapman - President (term expiring Jan 2028)
Heather Galecka - Vice President (term expiring Jan 2028)
Sean Chapman - Treasurer (term expiring Jan 2027)
Bryan Hamilton - Secretary (term expiring Jan 2028)
Cindy Bennett - At Large (term expiring Jan 2028)
Earl Wolf - At Large (term expiring Jan 2027)
Carol Kotesky - At Large (term expiring Jan 2027)
We are excited to share that Teri Nelson has been selected as our first Emeritus board member, an honor created in 2025 to acknowledge both board members and volunteers who have served with dedication. Teri was a founding member of FOWP as part of her role with the Williamston Kiwanis and has been a steadfast volunteer of FOWP for many years. If you see Teri around town, please congratulate her and wish her well!
A new addition to FOWP as a special committee is the Williamston Tree Council led by Jack Smith with the mission to grow and plant native tree species in Williamston public areas. More information will be coming soon!
Board meetings will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-7:30pm, either at the Williamston Depot Museum or a local Williamston park as noted below. In the warmer months after each board meeting in a park, we will be hosting a new Walk in the Park opportunity to enjoy a walk in our wonderful parks with your neighbors and friends. Stay tuned for more!
March 10 - Depot Museum
April 14 - McCormick Park
May 12 - Volunteers Community Park
June 9 - Howard Dahlstrom Park
July 14 - Williamstown Township Park
August 11 - Simmons Memorial Park
September 8 - Depot Museum
October 13 - Depot Museum
November 10 - Location TBD
December 8 - Location TBD
We are always looking for volunteers and board members for future years and activities. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email williamstonparks@gmail.com, visit our website for more information, or feel free to join us at a meeting!
Park Spotlight: Volunteers Community
Volunteers Community Park is approximately an acre in size and is located at the corner of Putnam and School Streets in Williamston next to the former Williamston High School, now The Commons.
Amenities: basketball courts, accessible playground, picnic shelter, paved walking trail, benches, and green space.
According to the City of Williamston, this park was envisioned as a neighborhood-level park that primarily serves the newer developed subdivisions to the south of the railroad tracks and the historic neighborhoods to the immediate north.
Many improvements to the park are due to intentional community engagement. In 2019 the Williamston Area Beautification Fund and Friends of Williamston Parks teamed up to revive the park by constructing a new playground next to the existing Trent Allen Memorial Basketball Court. The project included a play structure, four swings, a Ten Spin, and a Tri Totter.
A later crowdfunding campaign raised $29,000 to secure a matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program for the installation of a new picnic shelter, tables and seating, plus a new accessible walkway and park signage.
We hope everyone enjoys Volunteers Community Park for many years to come!
Events and Meetings Around Town
There are some exciting activities going on in our local Williamston parks, so we encourage you to get out there, get involved, and enjoy yourself!
It’s time for our annual spring clean-up! Join us at McCormick Park on April 18th from 9am-2pm to rake, stain, sweep, and lend a hand to the Williamston Scouts while they install a new gaga ball pit (!) as part of a community service project! All ages are welcome. Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring gloves. (Rain date May 2nd). We look forward to seeing you there!
The 2nd annual Brand New Festival will be on May 10th from 10am-2pm in McCormick Park. Hosted by Williamston Events, this even focuses on health and relaxation, plus kids’ activities to keep them occupied while you enjoy! More information will be coming soon and available on Facebook.
The City of Williamston monthly Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of every month. A great first step to becoming more involved is to familiarize yourself with the 2024-2028 Parks Plan.
Williamstown Township hosts regular Planning Commission meetings, typically on the 4th Wednesday of every month. They have recently updated their Williamstown Parks and Recreation Master Plan and are working to establish a regular schedule for their Parks & Recreation Committee as well.
About FOWP
Formed in 2015, 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.
Please visit our website at www.williamstonparks.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date!
FOWP operates under the umbrella of the Williamston Area Beautification Fund (WABF) 501(c)3 status.