Club Business
Dick opened the meeting.
Sam Powell led us in the Prayer and Pledge.
Members in attendance included Rick Moore, Kirk Tucker, John David Wagner, Brooke Carpenter, Richard Atkins, Charlie Nolette, Sam Powel, Randy Perkins, Micah Fox, and Chris Jernigan.
President Dick reminded members that the meeting on April 11 will be at the Alamance Country Club. They can accommodate 44 people with social distancing. Members who plan to attend in person must provide an RSVP to Dick by Friday, April 9. It will be a hybrid meeting, so attendance through Zoom will also be possible.
The fundraiser on April 24th was discussed. It will be held at the Kiwanis Shelter in Joe Davidson Park and through Zoom. There will be a Trivia contest, with a maximum of 5 persons per team. The cost will be $20/person. Members are encouraged to put together teams consisting of their friends and family. There will also be a split the pot raffle. Raffle tickets are $20/ticket or 7 tickets for $100. Winners need not be present to win. Please visit https://alamancerotary.org/trivia/ for more information and to buy tickets! Brooke needs volunteers – please contact him directly to help.
Program: Rachel Kelly – City of Burlington
Richard Atkins introduced the speaker Rachel Kelly. She has been a member of the City of Burlington team since January 2011 when she was hired as Public Information Officer. She currently serves as the City of Burlington’s Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services where she works with the Community Engagement, Economic Development, Information Technology, Animal Services, and Recreation & Parks Departments.
Ms. Kelly described what is new and exciting in Burlington. The highlights include:
North Park Pool Renovation and Expansion: This is a 1950’s era pool that needed renovation. The project included new splash pool features, competition lanes, pavilion, and restroom facilities.
North Park Playground: There is a housing project across the street from the park that does not have a playground. Impact Alamance requested the City to develop a playground in North Park for the children who live there. The children who will use the park assisted in the design of the playground.
Burlington Pet Adoption and Resource Center: The old building was well past its useful life. The facility was totally rebuilt with a state-of-the-art facility. It was noted that Burlington has one of the highest adoption rates in the country.
Burlington Athletic Stadium: Additions included a new concourse, updated restrooms, and other improvements. The Sockpuppets, a team consisting of promising college sophomores will play here this summer.
Downton to Elon Greenway: This is a paved greenway and bike lanes connecting Elon University to downtown Burlington.
Burlington Arboretum: Located at Willowbrook Park is a new arboretum and path.
City Park Improvements: The carousel animals are being restored by a firm that specialized in carousel renovations. A new Carousel House is being constructed. New restroom facilities are being added near Homebuilders Amphitheater. There is targeted tree removal to improve the health of vegetation in the park and streambed restoration. A new bio-retention facility will be installed.
It was noted that the Burlington Park system is very large for a city of its size. Ms. Kelly said that the park system was developed with a large bond decades ago. She noted that North Park was originally a segregated park. In recent times, and lot of Community Development Block Grants have been dedicated to the park system. She also noted that City leadership are advocates of park improvements.
When asked how Rotary could help the City, Ms. Kelly noted that the City has a lot of Boards and Commissions that need volunteers. Civic-minded people like Rotarians should consider applying for a position on a board or commission.
Ms. Kelly also said that the City is launching an Adopt a Park program in May 2021. Groups can volunteer to clean up a park 4 times per year and provide other services such as landscaping improvements. Information on this program is available at www.burlingtonnc.gov/adopt-a-park. The first year after adopting a park, the City will erect a sign for the organization adopting the park.
Conclusion
Dick wrapped up the meeting with the Four-Way Test.