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This project is the second part of Phase 1 for the Rotary Park Enhancement- P-4187 begun in 2022.
We wish to make Rotary Park in Seward (1121 Third Avenue) a memorable recreational destination that will attract and inspires visitors to protect the environment and appreciate the history, ecology, fish, and wildlife of Rotary Park in this three-phase project.
In Phase 1, which began in 2022, we wish to enhance the Pavilion to create an attractive wildlife viewing/picnic area to educate and inspire visitors with dramatic interactive and static metal art, two artistic, educational signs, two new picnic tables, a new Pavilion sign, and maintenance. Phase 1(A) was partially funded and completed in 2022 with a previous district grant P-4187. This application is to help complete funding for creating and installing the metal art to complete Phase 1(B). It also initiates Phase 2, which plans to create a trail by funding a land survey.
The metal art is the showcase to attract visitors to the park to see the interpretive messages. The highlight will be an interactive 15' movable metal whale sculpture made from recycled materials that visitors can move by turning a ship's captain steering wheel in the Pavilion that will attach to the whale through a driveshaft. The whale, to be built on supports in the lagoon that used to hold the previous boardwalk, will be visible from the Pavilion and the main road. Attracted by the whale, visitors will see the environmental, historical, and ecological messages on the artistic signs. Additional metal art of birds and fish will beautify two triangular supports of the Pavilion roof.
In Phases 2 and 3, we will look into the feasibility of improving access by creating a 350'-500' trail from Third Avenue while developing and promoting pollinator habitat and adding other amenities along the trail.
Why do it?
Worldwide, many people do not understand who Rotary is or what we do, which makes it hard to attract new members.
Climate change and other environmental issues have spurred a new worldwide focus area for Rotary to "protect the environment." Climate change is affecting our Alaska habitats and economies.
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 needs maintenance and care.
Enhancing the park could meet the following community needs:
* Inspiring people to take simple actions to protect their environment and promote understanding of
Rotary.
* Enhancing and promoting the protection of salmon, wildlife, and pollinator habitats.
* Inspire interest and care about Seward's history
* Creating a free recreational destination for residents and visitors that is inclusive, fun, inspiring, and educational while helping the local economy.
* Inspire people to take positive actions to protect the environment by telling the story of Seward's history, which shows how we can make or break the environment and create something beautiful when we want to.
The project will attract, inspire, and educate youth and adults, including up to 250,000 visitors annually and the Seward community of 3000 people.
Costs
Phase 1A- 2022/23 - $10,000- To be complete by May 31-2023. - This was done with a $5000 district grant and matching club donation. We created an RFP for art and evaluated and selected metal and digital artists. Designed, developed, and delivered three signs (2 interpretive and one Pavilion sign) @$3300. The signs featured five designs by local a local artist (@$4425). Purchased and installed solar lights @$777. Built two new picnic tables (donated labor) with recycled plastic lumber @$1498. Cleaned the Pavilion and removed graffiti (in-kind donation). Built a floating bird roost (Rotarians and Donations).
Phase 1B-2023/24 $18,000- This grant application.
1. Create and install metal art, including a moveable, interactive whale ($27,500) and two triangular metal panels of fish and wildlife ($12,500)in the Pavilion structure. The total cost of metal art is $40,000. We have applied for other grants, and we expect to receive much of the funding from these, but the exact amount will not be known until May 2023. We would use these District and club funds to complete the creation and installation of the metal art, with the whale as a priority. Any additional funds would be used to continue with Phase 2, to plan the trial.
2. Do a land survey to locate private land boundaries adjacent to the city property for future trail design ($1000).
3. Create an additional floating bird roost (in-kind donations).
Our project has 15 community partners, including the city, tribes, community organizations, and individuals.
Phase 2- 2024/25- $28,000- Submit required permits @$1000 and prepare trail design @$2000. Develop a public recreation trail up to 500' long from Third Avenue to Rotary Park @$25,00.
Phase 3-2025/26- $10,000- Increase visitor enjoyment with two trail benches @$1500, outdoor binoculars @$4000, pollinator gardens and boxes @$3000, sculpture garden @$500, fishing line box @$100, and Make a Wish to Rotary Box @$100, misc. ($800).
Rotarians will solicit, evaluate and select art; design signs, develop environmental tips, create habitat logs; install signs and lights; plant flowers and trees, build and install habitat boxes and other boxes; and assist with trail development.
Cost of Project (Phase 1B- completed May 2024): $18,000
District 5010 Funding: $9000.00
Seward Rotary Funding: $9000.00
Other grant funding we are applying for to contribute to the metal art.
Other grant funding (Unsecured)- $35,000 (Rasmuson Foundation, KMTA).
Other grant funding (secured)- $2000 (Seward Community Foundation).
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