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Area of Focus: Protecting the Environment, Peace
Activity Type: Community Development: Construction/Renovation
Summary: Enhancing the Rotary Park Pavilion as an environmentally themed fish and wildlife viewing area for residents and visitors, with interpretive art, signs, and a trail in Seward, Alaska.
Project Description: We wish to make Rotary Park a recreational destination that attracts and inspires residents and visitors to learn more about Rotary and protect the environment with this three-year project.
In year one, we will enhance the Pavilion to create a more attractive wildlife viewing/picnic area with three pieces of dramatic local art and three artistic signs. The Pavilion will also house new Rotarian Memorial plaques.
In years two and three, we will improve access by creating a 350'-500' trail from the main street that develops and promotes pollinator habitats and add additional benches.
Worldwide, Rotary is just sustaining or losing members, and many people do not understand who Rotary is or what we do. Climate change and other environmental issues have also spurred a new focus area to "protect the environment". Climate change is affecting our Alaska habitats and economies. This topic also appeals to younger people we hope will consider Rotary membership.
Although on a beautiful lagoon containing salmon spawning habitat and lots of birds and other wildlife, the Rotary Park Pavilion is in an out-of-the-way location, and is unknown to many residents and visitors. It has received some vandalism and needs maintenance and care.
Enhancing the park could meet the following needs:
• Promoting understanding of Rotary and inspiring new membership, especially with younger people.
• Inspiring people to take simple actions to protect their environment.
• Creating a free recreational destination for residents and visitors that is inclusive, fun, inspiring, and educational while helping the local economy.
• Enhancing and promoting the protection of salmon, wildlife, and pollinator habitats.
Phase 1- 2022- $23,200- Design and install three pieces of environmentally themed art @$15,000, three signs @$2300 with local art @$4000, up to 4 memorial plaques @$280, install solar lights @$120, repair picnic table and remove graffiti @$3000, survey land @$500, submit required permits @$1000 and prepare trail design.
Phase 2- 2023- $25,000- Develop a public recreation trail up to 500' long from Third Avenue to Rotary Park.
Phase 3-2024- $13,100- Increase visitor capacity and enjoyment with two Pavilion benches @ $4000, 2 trail benches @$1400, additional art, outdoor binoculars @$4000, pollinator gardens and boxes @$3000, sculpture garden @$500, fishing line box @$100, and Make a Wish to Rotary Box @$100. Partner with local schools, community members, and other organizations.
Rotarians will solicit, evaluate and select art, plant flowers, and trees, create and install habitat boxes and other boxes, and assist with trail development.
Cost of Project (Phase 1): $26,200
District 5010 Funding: $9170.00 (35%)
Seward Rotary Funding: $17,030.00 (65%)
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