An artist rendering of the planned pavilion for Knight Park in Ambler, which is being donated by the Rotary Club to the Borough. (Image courtesy of the Rotary Club of Ambler)
Rotary members presented plan updates to the borough council
They are about to turn 100 years old, and they started it all in the heart of Ambler. They have a passion for their community and aim to bring both service and friendship as they dedicate their time to the local area. “They” are the Rotary Club of Ambler.
Kate Harper, of the Ambler Rotary, presented at the Ambler Borough Council’s August meeting to explain how part of the centennial celebrations of the club will be to make improvements to Knight Park, the most visible of which will be a new addition.
“We are giving the borough a new pavilion for Knight Park,” said Harper. “We’ve purchased the pavilion from a supplier in Lancaster.”
Harper said the “kit” will come unassembled, and the pieces of the pavilion will be put together at the park. The club will add the roof and decorative stone wall after the shell is complete.
The Rotary Club has already begun its work by pouring the foundation for the project. Harper said that, on Sunday, Aug. 25, the Rotary will be hosting a “little party” at the park.
“We think people get concerned when they see construction in the park,” she said. “So, we thought we’d go, we’ll have these pictures, lemonade, hot dogs, that kind of stuff, and so that people can come out and see what we’re planning and not be too worried about it.”
The public is welcome to attend the function from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
“Knight Park is perfect for us, for this project, because The Knights were very active in the Ambler Rotary 100 years ago and since that time,” said Harper. “It’s just great that we get to do a project that remembers both the Ambler Rotary and the Borough, and it will be useful, hopefully, in the future for the Borough.”
Harper said that the next stage for the construction will commence once the kit is delivered to the park. She said that Bob King, who is president of the Executive Board of Ambler Main Street, is helping to lend his construction know-how and experience to the project.
“He’s helping us to make sure everything fits together correctly and is done right,” she said. Harper thanked the Borough for waiving the building permit fees for the project.
“After the kit is put together, then we buy the roof, which we’ve already ordered” said Harper of the coming stages in the project. “That gets put on top.”
Harper said that the Rotary Club intends to hold a dedication in 2025, during its official celebration of 100 years. She said that council would, of course, all be invited.
“You can come and celebrate it when it is all completely done,” said Harper. She said minor projects after construction will include the addition of electricity.
“If somebody has an event and needs a microphone, we can do that,” said the Rotary Club spokesperson of the electrified pavilion. “That’ll work out, and you can count on that being there.”
Harper said she just wanted to present to the Council to “remind” them of the ongoing project, as well as notify the public of the reason for the construction in that section of Knight Park.
The Council recognized a large group of the Rotarians that attended the night’s meeting, having them stand in the audience.
“We’re all local,” said Harper. “The Ambler Rotary covers the Borough, Upper Dublin, and Lower Gwynedd. We are all pretty local to the area, and we just want to help out.”
The Rotary Club of Ambler is part of Rotary International. This past year, the organization partnered with its international connections to donate a grant of $200,000 to replace equipment in a hospital in India.
“So, we are doing international things,” said Harper, “but we are very, very local on this project.”
Borough Manager Mary Aversa added that the Rotary Club is also adding lighting to the park’s flagpole to brighten the area, as well. King said the club is working on patching the foundation work, too.
“[The pavilion] will have handicap access,” said King. “Ultimately, we will be doing some grading which will be done in conjunction with the Borough.”
He added, jokingly, that “not a leaf was harmed” in the efforts of the Rotary’s donated addition to Knight Park.
“There was no tree that was cut, just so you know,” he said. “It is important because the site is beautiful.”
King said that Main Street Ambler partnered with Ambler Rotary to sell beer at local events, such as the Arts and Music Festival in June. At such events, 50 percent of the funds raised went to Ambler Main Street, while the remainder is donated to the Rotary’s projects.
Harper said that having all-volunteer staffing at the beer sales helps the organization to make more money for local and international projects.
“In fact, the mayor has actually helped,” said Harper of Jeanne Sorg, Ambler’s mayor. “It’s a very good partnership we have with the Borough.”
King said past projects on the international front have also included purchasing a digital x-ray machine for an Indian hospital, assisting a community that a Rotary Member in Ambler was actually from, growing up.
“That’s how Rotary works,” said King.
Harper agreed.
“It’s all connected,” she said. “The world is very small, and very round.”
Those that wish to donate to the club’s fundraising efforts for the Knight Park Pavilion, can click here to donate. The club will also host a Golf Outing, and dinner following the golf, on Monday, Sept. 9 at the Old York Road Country Club. To register for the outing, visit the site here. For more information on the outing, call Doug Thompson at 610-412-6797.
For more information on the Ambler Rotary Club, and its “Service Above Self” mission, call 215-646-6000 or email charper@timoneyknox.com. The club meets on Wednesdays at noon at the Spring House Tavern, 1032 N. Bethlehem Pike, in Spring House.
