The first step in realizing the master plan was closing West First Street through the park. This step, completed in 2009, restored the land to a single, contiguous park. Next, the south half of the park was regraded and paved walkways and rain gardens were installed. A terraced amphitheater now fills the southwest corner of the park, and several inches of good black dirt have replaced the poor rocky soil. Finally, new grass seed was planted, along with eighteen maples and oaks donated by Leif Knecht.
The current progress has been made possible by Northfield Park funds ($80,000), supplemented by over $35,000 raised by the Friends of Way Park. The completion of this foundational work allows the FWP to focus on raising additional funds for more trees, shrubs, and benches to make the south half of the Park as inviting as the north.
Future plans include enhancing the play equipment and creating a hospital memorial garden.
