Local residents young and old gathered for a barbecue on Aug. 31 to celebrate the long-awaited grand reopening of Rothsay Park. The park has been closed in recent years because equipment there no longer met current standards.
Community members, local organizations and Mapleton Township came together to fulfill the need of the Rothsay community.
Rothsay resident and Rothsay Darling Ingredients Inc. (RDII) employee Ed Meulenbelt approached plant manager Mark Brunarski about involving the company in providing much-needed equipment in the park.
Meulenbelt’s persistence paid off and the company agreed to share in the cost of the project through Mapleton Township’s 50/50 parks and recreation funding program.
“Part of our company’s vision is community involvement. The Rothsay Park is one of the many ways that we can give back to a community,” said Brunarski.
“When Ed Meulenbelt came to us with the idea, we knew it was something we wanted to be involved in. Residents of Rothsay and area will enjoy the park for many years to come.”
Along with Mapleton Township and RDII, the Drayton Kinsmen also contributed to the cost of the park.
Rothsay Optimist Park opened on June 26, 1999 after seven years of planning by the Rothsay Optimists. The vision of having a safe play area in the community came about with the help of many local businesses and individuals.
The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony with local dignitaries, sponsors and donors present. Letters from well wishers including politicians and the Optimist governing bodies were shared. The Rothsay community and guests celebrated with a barbecue.
The Community News reported that the Optimist Park was an incredible addition to the community of Rothsay. Completely fenced and shaded by large trees, the park for many is a sanctuary that seems to actually draw children to it. For decades to come children in this area will benefit greatly from the kindness of the Rothsay Optimists, the paper reported.
Over the years the park was used by many local residents, but because of its wooden construction, it deteriorated to the point where it was no longer in compliance with new standards for playgrounds.
