The Hermiston Parks and Recreation Department will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Greenwood Park on Thursday, June 13.
The event gets under way at 5:30 at N.W. Spruce and Beech Ave.
The park, which used to be known as Northside Park, has been undergoing some major renovations.
The park was renamed Greenwood Park in 2016 after a decision was made to renovate the small park. It is named after Greenwood Luster who spearheaded the park’s creation in the early 1970s so his children to play in.
I remember Greenwood Luster. He was a very nice man, and also stood out in Hermiston because he was a member of a small group of African-Americans in town. I am glad to see he is remembered with something concrete to represent all the good he has done in Hermiston, my home town.
Greenwood was my friend. He and his wife came to our Grocery Store in Umatilla to shop every Sunday after church. I had set him up with a charge account and he liked to be able to sign for his groceries. This was in the early 70’s. I always stopped to greet and talk and get him some coffee. They came from church all dressed up… it was Sunday go to meeting. My father and I liked to drive over to his church, park outside and listen to his congregation sing…they could really raise a roof. I knew them all…they were my father’s friends and customers…who he always treated with dignity and respect. I remember Greenwood..Slim and Ike…Big John…Eula Mae and Willie Mae…especially Juanita Colman…I miss them all….goodbye…
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