The Rotary Club of Homer-Kachemak Bay is in a partnership with the City of Homer to upgrade parks and other recreation facilities. In addition, to Ben Walters Park, adopted by our Club in 2011, we have previously provided a firepit at Karen Hornaday Park, and the Club was a major contributor of both funds and volunteer labor for the construction of the handicap accessible Homer Water Trail/Fishing Hole Picnic Pavilion. Both these parks and the pavilion enjoy heavy use and require annual efforts to maintain the level of quality deserved by the residents of Homer. Over the past year our Club has provided "sweat equity" to improve facilities at Ben Walters Park, which included the purchase and installation of additional recreational equipment. As we did last year, our Winter Carnival Cranium Cup Trivia Night proceeds are earmarked for Homer parks and recreation upgrades.
This year's upgrade goals for Ben Walters Park include brush clearing, painting, construction of a horseshoe pit, and refurbishment of the lakeside Kiosk and firepit. McDonald's is refurbishing their building and has offered copper roofing for our kiosks at Ben Walters Park which we plan to install. At Karen Hornaday Park, the Rotary installed firepit is in need of major refurbishment due to heavy use and the effects of Alaska weather. We will also work on the annual upkeep of the pavilion. Additionally, in support of the National Park Service's Recreational Trails program, we intend to join with the City of Homer and the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust to create a universally accessible trail within the Homer city limits.
Our members volunteer efforts combined with focused use of dedicated club funds, a District matching grant, and help from the City of Homer will allow us to complete much of this work during the coming Club year.
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