Rotary gives Salem Parks $50K for recreation area

SALEM -- Salem Rotary celebrated 100 years of giving with a new gift Tuesday: $50,000 for the city parks to establish Rotary Recreation Area.

Introduced as "a multigenerational, multifunctional family gathering place to socialize, practice sporting skills, and stay fit," the Rotary Recreation Area will be located on a 1-acre patch of land in Waterworth Memorial Park.

The open land is located off of 12th Street, next to the parking lot which is accessed via Sunset and sits in front of the Center Circle indoor soccer field at the Salem Community Center. The parking lot is owned by the Salem Parks Department.

Plans call for construction of a gazebo in the center, with benches around it and a walkway leading to the parking area. Some of the suggestions for features in the Rotary Recreation Area include a sand volleyball court, a spot for soccer practice with a net, batting practice area, golf practice area, a playground and Cross Fit Course.

Dr. Peter Apicella announced the lucky recipient of the centennial donation during Salem Rotary's 100th anniversary lunch meeting, one day after the Salem Parks Commission agreed Monday to accept the $50,000 to develop the vacant land.

"I think it's great we have an organization that's always thinking of the parks," Parks Commission Chairman John Panezott said during the commission's special session.

Parks Director Shane Franks, who is a Rotary member, said he would like to get the gazebo in place first this year, then build around it. His goal is to have everything in place by June 2022.

He was thankful for the opportunity for the Salem Parks Department to submit a proposal for the centennial community project and even more thankful to Salem Rotary for selecting the parks department vision for developing the property.

"We strongly believe it will be beneficial to the Salem community and the surrounding area for generations to come," Franks said.

Salem Rotary has a history of marking its milestones with a gift to the community. For the 75th anniversary, the club established Salem Swings & Things Playground at Centennial Park. For the 50th, a mini park and wading pool were built at Southeast School. Rotary member Frank Zamarelli remembered going to that pool when he was a child.

The centennial donation includes construction and site maintenance for the project, along with lights and security cameras. Items will be added as additional funding becomes available. A committee of Rotarians is working with the parks department, which is managing the project.

Rotary members had submitted projects and the parks project won out.

Salem Rotary President John Lundin, who attended the parks commission meeting, said the club wanted to build something special that could serve both children and adults.

"What can this area offer that we don't have anywhere else in the park?" Franks said.

That's part of the idea behind the Rotary Recreation Area, to bring families together for some quality time with activities not already offered in the park system. Franks said nothing is set in stone at this point.

Panezott and his fellow commissioners Lucille Karnofel and Lori Colian all loved the concept.

Apicella also announced the recipient of the club's centennial international project, with $5,000 going to support literacy in Honduras by partnering with Central American Outreach, which was started by Kathryn Tschiegg, a Rotarian from Orwell. The funds will be used to purchase reusable textbooks for fifth and sixth graders to help the organization expand its literacy program in 11 elementary schools in Honduras.

mgreier@salemnews.net