Two Oshawa Rotary Clubs Donate Gazebo
Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa-Parkwood make a generous donation to the Memory Gardens
OSHAWA – The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens will once again be enhanced by the generosity of the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa-Parkwood.
Together, the two rotary clubs have donated $30,000 for the design and installation of a shade structure that will be located in the Memory Garden at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens. The shade structure, anticipated to be completed this fall, is part of phase three of the Memory Garden development in the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens.
Rick Ficek, the immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa announced, “We have been working on this community project with the City of Oshawa and the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood for some time and we are very pleased that it is now a GO. This is just one way that we can help to boost our community pride in Oshawa and enhance the beauty of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens. It will be so nice to see The Rotary Centennial Bridge, together with the new Rotary shade structure in the Botanical Gardens.”
Walter Stewart, the immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood announced, “We too are happy to be part of this great enhancement to the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens that brings to our citizens, a series of modern garden features that link the parklands and natural terrain of the Oshawa Creek Trail system. What a great legacy to leave the citizens of Oshawa – The Rotary Bridge and The Rotary
Shade Structure. Since 1920, the Rotary Club of Oshawa and since 1976 The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood have been involved in service to our community and the members of both Rotary Clubs are very proud to help out Oshawa in any way that we can.”
In addition to the Memory Garden, the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens is home to Canada’s largest contemporary peony collection comprising of over 300 varieties, as well as a collection of lilacs, hostas, a water feature garden and a commemorative gazebo. A footbridge travels over the Oshawa Creek providing a picturesque path and linking the many garden areas, seating areas and a playground. The footbridge, which
opened in fall 2006 in celebration of Rotary International’s 100th anniversary, is another structure made possible through a contribution from the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa Parkwood.
“This signature shade structure will be the centerpiece of the Memory Garden and used as a gathering place for ceremonies and events”, said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee “donations and partnerships from groups such
as the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa-Parkwood are what truly make our city a community to be proud of, amazing.”
The OVBG is a “master planned” garden that will include parks and trails and 11 planned garden districts along the Oshawa Creek from Adelaide Avenue to Gibb Street. The OVBG is located on the south side of Adelaide Avenue West, between Kaiser Crescent and Arena Street. Parking is available adjacent to Children’s Arena (Arena
and Adelaide Streets).