Members will recall that we agreed some time ago to support the Yarra Bank Reserve Playground Project to mark 100 years of Rotary activity in Australia in 2021.Rotary is partnering with the City of Boroondara to build the playground which will include an interactive feature with a Rotary theme.
Council has engaged Jeavons Landscape Design for the overall design, and Benjamin Gilbert of Agency of Sculpture to focus on the special feature intended to be the main attraction of the park. Council has committed $1 million to the project and Rotary is contributing an additional $100,000. The project has been awarded a District Grant for $9,000 from The Rotary Foundation.
Total design is to be completed by the end of June, with construction starting before Christmas and be finished in early 2021.
The Rotary consortium is being led by Glenferrie, and includes Camberwell and Canterbury as well as Hawthorn Rotary. The first consortium meeting was held last week. As lead club, Glenferrie have been meeting with Council and a draft MOU is currently being considered with each club to sign a letter of commitment.
Yarra Bank Park is the site of the original Glen’s Ferry, and the proposed playground design with unique features and equipment, is likely to attract many visitors. This is an exciting opportunity to highlight and promote Rotary’s contributions to community and suggestions are welcome for ways in which we can maximize this opportunity.
This project will form part of our nationwide celebrations of Rotary's 100th anniversary in Australia.