Spring is nearly here and the season brings some of the best weather for outdoor activities.
That may be one reason why the Greenville Rotary Club’s $15,000 contribution to the City of Greenville’s Parks and Recreation could not have come at a more opportune time.
Parks and Recreation director Corey Holmes announced news of the funds along with Planters Bank president Parker England at the city council’s Feb. 15 regular meeting.
England also serves on the Rotary Club of District 6820’s board of directors.
“I currently serve on the Rotary Board and the Community Outreach service area and I’m fortunate enough to be here to let you know that Rotary Greenville did $7,500 and we were fortunate enough to get a partnership grant through our Club 6820 District to match that $7500,” England said. “So we have $15,000 that we would like to work with Corey to spend.”
Holmes recalled how in 2018, with the assistance of Greenville Rotary and club president Mark DiBiase, Parks and Recreation was able to complete the Maude Bryan Park project in which restrooms were restored and the park was “brought back to life.”
“Now, we have another project, so we want to thank Rotary again as it is going to put $15,000 into our parks,” he said.
England talked briefly about the extensive planning and collaboration he and Holmes did in an effort to pinpoint exactly what they wanted to accomplish with the funds.
“We initially looked at Ward’s Recreation Center. I’ve rode by several times,” he said, noting his tennis playing days as a youth. “I noticed that the fence was starting to lean so that’s kind of where the project started and it took on a different life.”
England believes making such an improvement will be a wonderful opportunity for Parks and Recreation as well as the City of Greenville and the Rotary Club members who participate.
Some of the Parks and Recreation areas that are anticipated to be addressed are the Ward’s Recreational Center where windscreens — at an estimated cost of $3,000 — are needed and Hardy Park.
“We’re going to update the walking trail sign and replace the bathroom doors, paint the pavilion, bathroom and the playground equipment, replace the basketball rims, all of the pavilion tables, cooking grills, swings and the water fountains,” England highlighted.
In addition, the funds will be used for the installation of bathroom lighting for safety at Hardy Park.
England estimates the Hardy Park improvements will round out to be “a little under $11,000.”
“I’ve got both checks in hand, so we’re ready to spend some money and look forward to working with Parks and Recreation and Greenville Rotary and doing some good for our community,” he said.
Holmes added, “We thank Rotary and it’s people like those that make Greenville what it is now by putting back into our recreation.”
