• Rotary Year: 2019-2020
  • Application Date: 5/31/2019
  • Club Name (Primary): Harrisonburg
  • Club Name 2: Bridgewater
  • Club Name 3: Harrisonburg-Massanutten
  • Club Name 4: Rockingham County
  • Project Name: Morrison Park Renovation
  • Project Total Cost: $50,000.00
  • Grant Amount Requested: $12,000.00
  • Describe the Project, its location and its objectives: Morrison Park is located in the City of Harrisonburg, close to Waterman Elementary School, which serves a high percentage of low-income families. The park has tennis courts which are rarely used, which leaves the park empty during most days and evenings. The project will convert the tennis courts to a pickleball complex that will house 6 courts. The complex will provide a place for a growing population of pickleball players (youth through adult) an opportunity to play pickleball on dedicated outdoor courts which are currently not available in the city. The complex will be enclosed with a wind screen that will include the Rotary logo, providing great exposure to all the individuals using the courts.

    Due to the proximity to Waterman School, the complex will also be used to introduce pickleball to the elementary students. We anticipate physical education teachers taking groups of students to the complex to teach them the game skills which are quick and easy to learn. Since pickleball is a low-cost sport, many children in the neighborhood will be able to afford to play the game after school and during the summer. The Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department will also provide rackets and balls during specified game times for children and parents to utilize.

    The complex will revitalize Morrison Park, making it a destination location for hundreds of individuals each year. Children and families in the neighborhood as well as individuals from across the city will have the opportunity to play pickleball and enjoy the surrounding park
  • Expected Start Date: 8/5/2019
  • Expected End Date: 11/15/2019
  • Expected Number of Beneficiaries: 800
  • Describe how the project will benefit the community and/or improve the lives of the less fortunate: The participating clubs have committed to supporting park projects in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County with funds raised over the past three years. The playground at the Cross Roads Park was completed in the county this year. Morrison Park has been selected as the site for the City of Harrisonburg park project. Morrison Park is located in the inner city, adjacent to Waterman Elementary School, which serves a high population of low-income families. The park has old tennis courts that are rarely used which is a waste of dedicated park space. Changing the space to a pickleball complex will provide youth and adults with a dedicated place to play. It will transform the park into a destination spot for individuals from across the city and county that want to learn and play pickleball. The renovated park will add vitality and positive activity to an area of the city that has many economically challenged families. The City Parks and Recreation will provide instruction and free equipment for residents at specified times, so they can learn and enjoy the game at no cost.

    There are no other parks in this area of the city for children and families to gather. The pickleball complex combined with beautiful landscaping will make the park an inviting location for neighborhood residents to visit and play. The entire city will benefit from having dedicated pickleball courts to grow this popular sport in the community. The park’s proximity to Waterman Elementary School provides a venue for the physical education staff to teach and engage younger residents in the sport. Having access and opportunity for positive physical activities is important for children’s health and development.
    The Morrison Park Pickleball Complex will provide ample opportunities for residents to participate in a new and exciting sport
  • Expected Total Project Volunteer Hours: 75
  • Describe the Rotarian hands-on activities in the project (i.e. non-financial participation): Rotarians will help with mulch and landscaping to beautify the areas surround the pickleball complex.They will also assist with the assembly and installation of benches inside the courts and hanging the decorative windscreen surrounding the complex.
  • Describe the publicity plan to inform the general public that this is a Rotary sponsored project: The City of Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Rotary on this project. They will feature the Morrison Park project on their website and within their quarterly publications of classes and activities. The four participating Rotary Clubs will also publicize the project on their social media sites and websites. Press releases will also be sent to the Daily News and Record newspaper and WHSV television station encouraging coverage of the grand opening of the pickleball complex in the fall.
  • Cooperating Organizations – Please list each cooperating organization, if any: City of Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department
  • Letter(s) of Participation: 1._City_Letter_of_Participation.docx
  • Project Expenditure Budget – list detail uses of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload.See Budget Upload
  • Project Funding Budget – list detail sources of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: See Budget Upload
  • Budget Upload: 2._District_Collaborative_Grant_Budget.xls
  • Primary Contact Name: Susan Totty
  • Primary Contact Rotary Position: President - elect
  • Primary Contact Email: svtotty@gmail.com
  • Primary Contact Phone: 540-478-3073
  • Financial Contact Name: Robin Neupauer
  • Financial Contact Rotary Position: Club Treasurer
  • Financial Contact Address: 
    380 East Market Street
    Harrisonburg, VA 22801
    United States View on Map
  • Financial Contact Email: robyn_e_hill@yahoo.com
  • Financial Contact Phone: 540-209-7777
  • Project Authorization Form: FY_20_Collaborative_grant_signatures.pdf
  • Grant Number1920C-02
  • Grant Award$8,882.00