Community volunteers, from left, Pat Trant, Ann Pennington, Bill Sime, Harrel Timmons, Wendel Hunigan, Mary Burgland and Mike Panther, help install fencing around the new Cooke Park playground.

GALESBURG — Volunteers finished installing the playground fence at the new Cooke Park last week and are now preparing for the next phase — planting trees on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The work was led by the city’s special projects coordinator, Tom Simkins, with help from volunteers Pat Trant, Ann Pennington, Bill Sime, Harrel Timmons, Wendel Hunigan, Mary Burgland, and Mike Panther. 

Landscaping around the playground, including plants and mulch, was also completed.

A volunteer crew plans to return at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 1 to plant trees — likely the final Special Projects volunteer effort of 2025, Simkins said.