CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT ROTARY PARK
Long since a forgotten patch of land on the south end of town, Rotary Park is seeing new life — and new activity — in recent weeks.
Don’t be dismayed if the piles of direct and leaves have gotten even bigger in the meantime, though. It’s all part of the Mendocino Rotary Club’s plan to turn the land into a “crown jewel fo Mendocino,” said former Mendocino Sheriff, Tom Allman, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday.
Allman, as Sheriff, and District Attorney David Eyster helped to use some of the county’s discretionary funds when the project was still new, several years ago. Their help eased the way for the club to get the park started.
“I think (we’re excited to) bring some beauty in here and let the public see it’s more than an overgrown triangle,” Allman said.
When completed, the park will boast a new playground, a sculpture area, ADA-compliant sidewalks and paths, a bike rack and a cedar split-rail fence along the southern end of the yard.
The park is on track to be completed by Summer 2021, said Ray Alarcon, a Rotary Club member.
The land is actually owned by the club’s 501c3 foundation, so donations to the project are tax-deductible. Community members who wish to support the construction can buy paving stones for $125, or a minimum donation of $2,500 to be included in the “Founder’s Circle.” Local businesses can support the project and earn a paving stone for $300, said foundation president, Jerry Karabensh.
Local business owner and innkeeper, Ian Roth, said he is very excited to see the project coming to fruition. Roth has owned the Seagull Inn, across the street from the park, for the past two years.
“I remember when it was just a bramble patch of blackberries,” Roth said. The Rotary Club brought in Roth, along with other nearby business owners, to be included in decision meetings some time ago — a move Roth said he was grateful for.
And if any customers has questions about the construction going on across the street, he said, “I
can tell them it’s because of our wonderful Rotary Club.” He called the park the Seagull Inn’s “front yard.”
“Many members of the community donated to help Rotary preserve this land for public use, instead of the development of commercial buildings on the site,” Karabensh said. “We’re just so happy that we’re able to provide the community and visitors a place to congregate.”