Gingerbread Park is a park located on the corner of Isham and 4th in Waynesville. There is playground equipment, a basketball court, green space for playing ball, and a pavilion. Gingerbread Park began in 1975, when the pavilion was built. The next additions were the merry-go-round and swings from the Waynesville Grade School after it closed. The park has only developed greatly since then, and much of the credit can go to the Waynesville Women’s Club. 

The park is named “Gingerbread Park” because the majority of the playground equipment was purchased by the Waynesville Women’s Club gingerbread cookie fundraiser profits. These profits have also helped restore the park pavilion, picnic tables, benches, flags, basketball court, and flowerpots. The money also goes to numerous other projects around the city to better Waynesville. Sherie Ross is a prominent member of the Waynesville Women’s Club. She stated, “In the late 1970's Waynesville Women's Club started making and decorating homemade Gingerbread Cookies and selling them at the Apple and Pork Festival in Clinton each year. This yearly fundraiser has become quite popular and the proceeds benefit the community of Waynesville. Our cookies have contributed over $105,000 into Waynesville in the past 40 plus years!” It is clear that the Waynesville Women’s Club exceeds their goal of community service. A few other projects they have invested their time and money into are helping buy new equipment for the Waynesville Township Fire Department, “Shelter In Place” meals last spring, and candy and prizes for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Sherie Ross also mentioned that “The merry go round is probably the most used piece of playground equipment as well as being one of the oldest!” It would be a rare occasion not to see someone out playing in Gingerbread Park on a given day. The park’s pavilion can be used for parties on a first come, first serve basis. If you are looking for something to do this summer, be sure to check out Gingerbread Park and enjoy the facilities that the Waynesville Women’s Club worked hard to provide for the community!