Willamalane’s Tyson Park Scheduled for Improvements 

Willamalane begins construction in June; Park closed through October

After years of community input, planning, and fundraising, Willamalane Park and Recreation District‘s long-awaited redevelopment of Tyson Park starts this month. Construction will take place from mid-June through October 2026 at 3405 E Street, Springfield. During construction, the park will be fully closed for safety reasons. 

With a contractor now selected, the project is moving toward construction, marking a major milestone in the park’s redevelopment. Once complete, the updated park will feature a new playground, basketball court, soccer open-play area, covered picnic shelter, community garden, sidewalks, wood-chip running path, drinking fountain, and other improvements designed to better serve the neighborhood.

“We’re excited to start construction on these plans that have been in progress for years. These improvements have been funded almost entirely from grants and donations, with nearly $700,000 in grants and an additional $200,000 as a gift from the Willamalane Park Foundation.”

– Michael Wargo, Executive Director, Willamalane Park and Recreation District

Tyson Park was identified as a high-priority redevelopment site in Willamalane’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan due to the outdated condition of existing amenities and play features. It is the only park serving this central Springfield neighborhood, which is in close proximity to several Springfield Public School sites.

Community meetings, focus groups, and hundreds of survey responses helped inform the new design of the park. 

The Tyson Park property was acquired in 1961, constructed in 1963, and expanded in the 1970s. The park is named for Mabel Tyson, an active volunteer in Willamalane’s early days, assisting with office duties, including outreach and registration activities. In the 1950s, she received the Citizen First award from the Recreation Council for her volunteer work and was recognized as Springfield’s Woman of the Year. 

Tyson Park will remain closed throughout construction and is expected to reopen this fall. Willamalane will share updates on construction progress throughout the project on its website.

More about Willamalane
Willamalane Park and Recreation District maintains and operates recreation facilities, community centers, pools, parks, trails, and natural areas in Springfield. In addition, the district provides recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, and childcare that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Created by voters in 1944, Willamalane is a special tax district, separate from the City of Springfield, governed by a five-member, elected board of directors and managed by an executive director. In 2022, Willamalane earned CAPRA accreditation, which signifies that the organization’s overall quality of operations, management, and service to the community are aligned with industry best practices.