Volunteer Park is located at 301 SE First Street in downtown Winlock. Formally an empty lot after the previous building burned down in 2006. After the fire, the city bought the land and tried to sell it but with no success. In 2009, the Winlock park board, then chaired by General Cothren of Winlock Washington, took an interest in the empty lot with intention to transform it into something beautiful. The city council approved this proposal, and the park board got to work.
Consisting solely of volunteers, the board and additional volunteers had 110 loads of dirt hauled in. While waiting 12 months for the dirt to settle, the volunteers had to secure the funding, obtain supplies, choose design, and take submissions for a name. The project cost about $4,000 - $5,000 to complete. Members were able to raise funds for completion by hosting community days, movies nights, and a bluegrass festival. All of the time, money, and resources were donated.
Community members also had a chance to pitch in by participation in a public art project. The board installed a 24 ft. welded rebar tree trunk. The leaves on the trees were purchased through city hall by donating community members. Each leaf has the name of the person or family who donated and received a leaf to be placed on the tree.
The park opened in time for the 2012 Winlock Egg Days Festival which occurs every year around the summer solstice. The official ribbon cutting ceremony was on the following August 2nd, where the fountain in the park was donated to Bonita Meyers, a long time board member and Winlock resident.
Today the park is still enjoyed by the community on a daily basis. It features a variety of plants and several places to sit. Heads up for the train sounds!