100
Years of Service
Rotary
marks anniversary by building community playground at a local park
By
Erica Franklin
JOURNAL REPORTER
June 16, 2005
Children stood anxiously awaiting the opening of the new playground at
South Fork Recreation Center and Complex yesterday.
They could run in the grass at the park, but there was no equipment at the site until Stratford Rotary Club members decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International by making improvements at the park.
The club raised $18,000 over the past three years to build the playground for the city of Winston-Salem.
The playground equipment consisted of two swings and a jungle gym with two slides. Mulch was put at the bottom of the equipment to protect the children from injury.
The president of the Stratford club, Charles Chatham, said that the donation marks an effort to play more of a role in the local community.
"We are doing more for the community," Chatham said. "This is the first time we are giving something to the city for the children of this area."
Tim
Grant, the city's director of recreation and parks, accepted the gift
from the Rotary Club.
"This location was frequently visited by adults, but they did not
have a place where the kids could play," Grant said. "Now, they
have a great playground."
Chatham said that the city chose the park and donated the land on which the playground was built.
Mike Specht, a sales representative for Peggs Recreation Inc., said he helped to choose and install the playground equipment over four days.
Rotarian Vernon Ferrell organized the project. The club made Ferrell a Paul Harris Fellow. Members must contribute at least $1,000 to be inducted into this group.
"The playground is an asset for the community," Ferrell said. "The Rotary Club is always interested in helping the youth."
Mary
Margaret-Douglas often brings her twins to the center, which is off Country
Club Road near Jonestown Road. She smiled as she watched her children
play on the new equipment.
"This playground will add to the appeal of the recreation center,"
she said.
Margaret-Douglas said that other recreation centers in Forsyth County could benefit from similar playground equipment.
Erica Franklin can be reached at 727-7381 or at efranklin@wsjournal.com.
