Greenwood Park
The smallest of Hermiston’s parks, Greenwood Park was rebuilt in 2019. Considered a pocket park, which are small neighborhood parks located on one or two lots within walking distance of just the immediate neighborhood, Greenwood Park is named after former Hermiston resident, Greenwood Luster.
The park includes playground equipment, a picnic shelter and a little library.
History of Greenwood Park
Greenwood Park exists today because of the vision and determination of longtime Hermiston resident Greenwood Luster, who believed neighborhood children deserved a safe place to play.
In the early 1970s, Luster regularly watched children playing in the streets near his home and began imagining a neighborhood park where they could safely gather and play. He received permission from the City of Hermiston to develop a small park on a vacant, neglected property across from his home at 80 W. Beech Street.
Turning the property into a park became a community effort. Neighbors, church members, the Hermiston Jaycees, Kiwanis and other volunteers joined Luster in bringing his idea to life. Early playground equipment included a used swing set and merry-go-round that had previously been located at Dunn Rollin' Trailer Park. Over the years, Luster and other volunteers continued improving the park, eventually adding a brick restroom and basketball court.
Greenwood Luster was born in 1923 in Parma, Texas, and moved to Hermiston as a young man. During his many years in the community, he worked for Rohrman Ford, Union Pacific Railroad and Sanitary Disposal. He also served for many years as a pastor at the Church of God. Luster remained an active and dedicated member of the Hermiston community until his death in 2010 at the age of 87.
In 2016, the Hermiston City Council formally named the property Greenwood Park in recognition of Luster and the lasting contribution he made to the neighborhood. The City then began a major effort to restore and improve the park, once again receiving support from Kiwanis and other community partners.
Following approximately nine months of construction, the renewed Greenwood Park reopened in 2019, providing a revitalized neighborhood gathering place while preserving the legacy that began with one resident's desire to give local children a better place to play.
Today, Greenwood Park stands as a reminder of what can happen when one person's vision is embraced by an entire community. Visitors are encouraged to remember Greenwood Luster and his contribution to Hermiston as they enjoy the park.
