Enumclaw’s grassy oasis along state Route 410 that pays tribute to those who served the U.S. military has commonly been known as Veterans Memorial Park.

Now, it’s official.

The Enumclaw City Council voted unanimously Feb. 22 to give the park a new name and establish an advisory committee allowing local veterans a greater say in how the land is developed.

Despite its common moniker, the land has officially carried the name Market Square Park. That’s the name it carried in 1997 when the city authorized construction of a memorial to U.S. veterans. Construction of the memorial was performedentirely by donated funds and labor coordinated by the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The VFW has added to the park in subsequent years and hosts memorial events at the site.

Recently, members of the VFW approached the city and asked that they be allowed to take a more formal role in expansion of the memorial.

The council accomplished that task by creating a Veterans Memorial Park Advisory Committee in conjunction with the name change.

“It’s hnot unusual that special interest groups get together to advise the city,” said Larry Fetter, director of Enumclaw’s Parks and Recreation Department. He noted similar groups exist to provide input regarding operations at the city-owned golf course and swimming pool.