1968-1975: Formation of the Commission
1968: General formation of the G.R.W.B.P.R.C. - Greater-Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation Commission, initiated by the Village of Romeo (Merlin Kerr, John Schueler, Bob Jones, Elaine Campbell, R.J. Brainard). A regional recreation group formed basically for the purpose of securing facility development funds from the State of Michigan recreation bond project for creation of additional recreation facilities in the Romeo District. 1968-1970: Washington Township, Bruce Township, and Romeo Community Schools approached for assistance and support in securing and administering approved bond grant monies. 1970-1971: G.R.W.B.P.R.C. formalized to include village, townships and school district. Begins to meet with basic regularity. Seeks funding support from governmental entities for dispersal to community agencies to run programs. 1971-1972: Village, township, school district and at-large trustees appointed to the Commission by respective entities. G.R.W.B.P.R.C. receives funding support from the Village of Romeo, Washington and Bruce Townships. Commission sets format for funding local groups (i.e. Romeo Jr. Baseball, Romeo Girl's Softball and Washington Area Athletic Association) and directs monies to groups for programming cost assistance. 1972-1973: Commission elects Richard Cory, Community Center Director, Chairman of the G.R.W.B.P.R.C. Continues to fund area groups to run programs. Planning begins on larger program formats, also on programs to be run by the commission alone. School District begins to discuss development of a Community Education Program. 1973-1974: School district inaugurates Community Service Program with dual priorities: (A) develop enrichment and recreation programs for people of all ages in the district, individually and jointly with G.R.W.B.P.R.C.; (B) assess community needs and develop Community Education components (high school completion, human services, extended services, pre-school, etc.). The Community Service Director becomes a member of the Commission. 1974-1975: Cooperation and programs continue to grow. A full-time parks and recreation professional is seen as necessary; a campaign begins for the hiring of a Parks & Recreation Director.
1975-1985: A Department Takes Shape
1975-1976: Robert Fox hired by Washington and Bruce Township to direct the G.R.W.B.P.R.C. Village of Romeo drops from membership in the Commission. The Commission begins to assume leadership in coordination of all recreation programs, with the schools providing assistance, services and funding. G.R.W.B.P.R.C. independently assumes coordination of district recreation programs; the school district continues to supply housing, in-kind services and funding. Cooperation between the two entities creates a situation where the most people can participate in the programs, housed in the best facilities, during the most desirable times at the least expense. 1979: Renee Rumph hired as full-time Accountant. 1981-1983: Eric M. Wurmlinger hired as director to replace Robert Fox. Senior Citizen Transportation becomes a major component of G.R.W.B.P.R.C.; Sandi Kaiser hired as full-time Operation Manager. Townships and the Commission meet to restructure the Commission; Romeo Community School Board of Education dissolves its role as a managing partner and develops an in-kind services agreement with the remaining Washington and Bruce Township Commission Representatives. 1984: Greg Brynaert hired as director, replacing Eric M. Wurmlinger. S.T.A.R. renews its second millage. 1985: Name change - the words Greater and Commission are dropped from the organization name to read "Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation." The seven member commission dissolves and is reorganized with one Township Board member representative each from Bruce (Gary Schocke) and Washington (RJ Brainard). Romeo Schools give space at the Croswell Site to open the community's first Older Adult Center, Parks and Recreation and Community Enrichment offices.
1986-2001: Millages, Parks and Centers
1986: Due to the loss of Federal Revenue Sharing funds, the Department passes its first Recreation Millage (.75 mills for five years). Older Adult Coordinator Dorothy Hill's position moves to full time. 1987: First full-time Recreation Coordinator, Mark D. Vagi, hired. First Recreation Master Plan approved. 1988: S.T.A.R. renews its third millage. New playground equipment at Romeo Youth Center and Washington Elementary; air conditioning installed in the Senior Center at the Croswell site. 1989: Playground equipment added at Croswell, Amanda Moore and Washington Elementary. First DNR Grant (Quality of Life Funds) received to build Community Park behind the new Washington Township Building. 20-year lease with the Washington Lions Club. Dave Williams hired as full-time Recreation Coordinator. 1990: P&R 2nd Millage renewed. Washington Community Park development started. Mary Militello hired as Older Adult Coordinator. 1991: Part-time 2nd Senior Center opened at Washington Township. Grand opening of Washington Community Park. Orchard Hills playground built. 1992: Washington Twp. Park Pavilion built. 1995: Lease signed with the Village of Romeo to take over and maintain the Romeo Youth Center, now the Romeo Community Center, with additions for P&R and STAR offices and the Romeo Senior Activity Center. 1996: Washington Twp. Park Playground built. Mary Jo Bommarito hired as Accountant. 2001: Hamilton Parsons Elementary ball field & soccer field added; Community Center Pavilion added.
2002-2013: Growth and Improvements
2002: Automated phone system connects Romeo & Washington Centers; Washington basement storage room converted to an exercise room. 2003: Electric brought to the fields at Crystal Diamonds. Sled hill added to Romeo Community Center grounds. Community Center Barn added. 2004: Bernice Webb hired as Senior Center Director after Mary Militello retires. Senior Activity Center rooms added in Washington; Skate Park added; Basketball Court/Ice Rink added to Community Center; Washington Tennis Courts repaved with lights; well added at Crystal Diamonds; Pavilion built at Orchard Hills Park; phase one of the Gilcher-Crissman property. 2005: Skate Park relocated behind RHS. Bruce Walking Trail added. Phase two of Gilcher-Crissman (soccer areas graded, leveled and seeded). 2006: New playgrounds at Gilcher-Crissman and Bruce Twp. Park; parking improvements; registration system replaced with RECPRO from Recware. 2007: Community Center Playground replaced; 2 ball fields added to Gilcher-Crissman. 2008: New Commission members Kathy Bosheers (Washington) and Susan Brockmann (Bruce). Fitness Center, new STAR offices and storage added to the Romeo Community Center. Walking trail added at Gilcher-Crissman. 2009: Debbie Webber hired as Senior Activity Centers Director. 2010: Orchard Hills walking trail resurfaced; Bruce Twp. Park walking path added; electric & irrigation installed at Gilcher-Crissman (west side). 2012: Pavilion and electric added at Bruce Twp. Park; AED added at Washington. Dori Lawrence becomes STAR Operation Manager after Sandi Kaiser retires after 31 years. 2013: Becky Hopp hired as Senior Activity Centers Director. A video of Richard Corey on the history of the Youth Center, produced by sponsor The Mitt TV, is featured on the page.