In 1939, the Phelps Women’s Institute was formed. When the men and women of the township returned home in 1946, the Phelps Women’s Institute wanted to honour them. They decided to develop and maintain a community centre and public playground to commemorate the services of these men and women. They obtained a charter from Ontario Department of Municipal Affairs and seven trustees were elected from the branch's institute members. Early in 1947, a 6-acre parcel of land was purchased for $150. It was bordered on two sides by the North River and had a nice swimming hole. The third side had frontage on Highway 63.
Local residents cleaned the land. All labour was donated, and many “bees” were held. In 1947, sufficient land was cleared and levelled for a ball diamond and a back stop and games commenced. A local Athletic Association was organized, and ball games and hockey games were started with outside teams participating.
Picnics and school fairs were organized, and the park became a centre for all township activities. Swings and seesaws were built as a result of a generous donation by Rosamond Deneau who had been crippled by polio and confined to a wheelchair. In spite of that, she managed to raise enough money for this purpose.
In 1950 work on the erection of a hall was started. Before the hall was built all activities were held outside or in tents. Plans for the hall were drawn by a branch member. All labour, except for the man in charge who worked for $0.50 an hour, were given for free.
Around 1959, the Phelps Cenotaph was built to honour the Phelps War Dead and the many, many people who went to war to fight for our freedom and fortunately returned home. At this time, the park was renamed to Phelps Memorial Park to honour all Veterans, especially those who were killed in action.
