Combined Rotary clubs moving the earth at Grafton Bridges Park

Exciting times: Our Rotary Clubs have been at work helping to furnish the new parklands between the Grafton bridges.

Grafton Midday Rotary and Grafton Rotary clubs have combined to purchase and arrange the installation of park furniture at the parklands created between the old and new Grafton Bridges on the northern bank of the Clarence River.

The furniture includes a table and seat set, four park benches, two bins and a bike rack.

The parkland was made possible by the NSW government which built the new bridge. Clarence Valley Council’s Open Spaces Coordinator Dave Sutton guided the location and selection of furniture suppliers. Grafton Midday Rotarian Lee Taylor and Immediate Past president Grafton Rotary Chris Wheelahan wrote grant applications and led the liaison with CVC. Warren Steele of DRA Architects developed the location plan as a community service. Blanchard Haulage happily donated the freight from the furniture manufacturers. The generous contribution by Boral allowed us to add extra seating. Builder Peter Lynch and his crew are installing the furniture.

Sod-turning for park furniture at the Grafton bridges parkland supervised by Ryan Lynch from Peter Lynch Building Services with Rotarians Don Cardow (Grafton Midday Rotary) and Dick Pryor (Grafton Rotary) on the tools

Midday Rotary President Robert Blanchard said, “During the bridge opening day we identified the need to see how Rotary could help make the parkland more usable for the many families and individuals who now use the walkways/cycleways provided as part of the bridge build. We also envisaged the area being used for future public gatherings. Our partner Rotary Club of Grafton stepped in to help with their support to make the project a combined Grafton Rotary project.”

Project leader Lee Taylor said, “We succeeded with grants of $15,000 from the NSW Government Community Building Program and $11,460 from the Rotary Foundation. Any shortfall on the project will come from the Charity Accounts held by both Rotary clubs.”

Grafton Rotary Club Past President Chris Wheelahan said, “The project has provided an ideal opportunity for the Rotary clubs of Grafton and Grafton Midday to band together for the benefit of the community that we serve. We expect the furniture will be installed by the end of October. “

Mr Blanchard closed by saying, “We are delighted to see the new parkland between the bridges being made more attractive to park users, walkers and cyclists.”