For decades, Vinnie’s Texaco Station occupied a prominent corner in the center of Washington Depot, and for many years sat empty– an eyesore in the heart of the Depot. In 2013, a small group of civic-minded local residents, led by four local businesspeople, Michael Ackerman, Barbara Bouyea, Peter Talbot, and Denise Trevenen; and local visionary John Millington, shared a dream: the purchase of the site of the garage and its transformation into a park, an events space and a vibrant community hub. Thanks to the generosity of 40 donors and, in particular, substantial gifts from Rita and Gus Hauser and the Gould Foundation; they closed on the $650,000 purchase in August, 2013; renamed it The Park@One Green Hill., and received a 501(c)3 nonprofit status. The founding Board of Directors included Michael Ackerman, Barbara Bouyea, Peter Talbot and Denise Trevenen. In 2015, the Washington Park Foundation (“WPF”) announced a $675,000 capital campaign to create a landscaped park and the refurbishment of the vacant gas station. Once again, local townspeople rose to the occasion, contributing about $200,000 to the capital campaign. In October, the WPF announced the receipt of its largest Leadership Gift from Judy Black, a 30-year member of the Litchfield County community, and renamed the park The Judy Black Park and Gardens to honor Ms. Black’s Leadership Gift. Upon Ms. Black’s death in late 2015, the park was officially renamed The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens. The Park is there for everyone to enjoy. Its Mission is simple: To be a gathering place in Washington that invites friends and neighbors to relax, learn, play and share all that our community offer. That Mission supports the Washington Park Foundation’s broader Vision: To promote the health, happiness and wellbeing of a socially connected community where everyone feels at home.