Danville Riverview, Danville, and Danville After Hours Rotary Clubs recently announced a collaborative service project to create and install a small Rotary Park along the Riverwalk Trail, marking a $10,000 investment to the trail that will include a $4,000 grant contribution from Rotary District 7570. The project is designed to transition the water stop in Dan Daniel Memorial Park to a trail destination.
“This year, Rotary has the opportunity to invest in one of the region’s most utilized assets, the Riverwalk Trail,” said Riverview Rotary President Glenn McClanahan. “The Riverwalk has been referred to as a transformational asset that has changed the health and wellness of the community.”
The trail not only links many recreational assets such as athletic fields, a skate park, an accessible playground, and a challenge course, it also provides access to many community amenities such as the River District, multiple parks, Danville Regional Airport, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, as well as area businesses, restaurants, and entertainment options. The trail was also a driving factor when Danville was selected as a “Gateway City” to the future Beaches to Bluegrass trail that will link Virginia Beach to Galax.
The current water stop is located in Dan Daniel Memorial Park behind the Rotary Baseball Fields and features a bench, water fountain, and trash receptacle. The Rotary Service Project will add a mural to the 100-foot concrete wall, high-quality metal benches featuring the Rotary logo, a bicycle repair station, additional landscaping, and shade structures.
All three club presidents agree the project will transform the space into a thought-provoking feature that encourages rest and conversation.
“The Rotary Park service project incorporates the City’s vision, enhances the existing water stop located within the beautiful Riverwalk trail, installs a new bike repair station, and adds a visual presence of Rotary within the City of Danville,” said After Hours Rotary President Morgan Epstein Clark. “The upgraded water stop will now become a destination offering all visitors a place to rest, an appealing shaded area to have a conversation and a reminder of Rotary’s commitment to service.”
Danville Rotary President Sammy Saunders said the project is a collaborative effort between not only the three clubs but the City of Danville as well.
“Rotarians will work in partnership with the City of Danville to guide the design process for the concrete wall and the implementation of the service project,” he added.
Rotarians will assist in designing and applying the design to the concrete wall and will also work to install benches and landscaping, shade structures, and the bicycle repair station.
Danville Parks and Recreation Director Bill Sgrinia looks forward to the completion of the project and noted the continued contributions of the civic clubs to the Park and Trail system.
“This particular project is a perfect fit for this area,” Sgrinia said. “The amenities, beautification, and art that is planned for this space will truly make this spot along the 13-mile trail a destination.
“Danville is grateful for all that Rotary does for our community on an ongoing basis. The baseball fields, boat house, playgrounds, trail signage, Park funding, public art all are valued and appreciated contributions to our community.”
Danville Riverview Rotary, Danville Rotary, and Danville After Hours Rotary Clubs intentionally work to improve the lives of those less fortunate who live and play within our community. These Clubs continuously contribute to this community through scholarship programs, investment in recreational and educational programs, support of the local food bank with hands-on efforts and financial contributions, monthly volunteering with community service organizations, and on-going financial contributions to multiple charity organizations. With every service project, the three Rotary Clubs are enhancing the entire community and improving the lives of those who need additional resources.
All of the amenities included in the water stop project will be available at no cost to the visitor, creating equal access for all including those with intellectual and physical disabilities and those who are financially challenged or oppressed. The Rotary Park will transition this open space to a destination for all those who visit.
