'Service Above Self'
Millen Rotary Club sponsors park project
By Deborah Bennett

This vacant lot on East Cotton Avenue across from Regions Bank in being converted into a park/farmers' market area as a civic project of the Millen Rotary Club. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Committed to putting its motto "Service Above Self" into action, the Millen Rotary Club is currently in the process of converting a vacant lot on East Cotton Avenue across from Regions Bank into a park/farmers' market area for community use.

Millen Rotary Club President Wanda Burke explained that for the past several years, the club has provided the incoming Rotary president with $2,000 for a community/civic project of his or her choice. The funds are derived from the sale of the club's 4-way Test Coloring Book. This year, Rotary International is also contributing $1,000 to the project through a District Simplified Grant. The design for the park was donated by W.R. Toole Engineering.

"As president this year, I wanted to find a project that would be beneficial to the community as a whole. A group of Rotarians was organized to evaluate the needs of the community, and it was decided that our citizens need a centralized area to gather for a farmers' market, yard sales, street/food vendors, arts and crafts sales and bake sales. After considering several locations, it was agreed that the lot located in the downtown historic district, next to the railroad, would be the perfect place for the park," Burke said.

"We also wanted a project that would create interest among other civic groups, churches and businesses in the community with hopes that they will want to participate by making a donation to the project," Burke added.

Burke credits the City of Millen, under the supervision of Superintendent of Streets and Lane Clay Boulineau, with site preparation for the implementation of a paved walkway. Plans for the park also include the construction of several concrete picnic tables, benches, signs, sprinkler system and fence. If sufficient community support is exhibited, additional picnic shelters may also be erected to accompany the existing one on the site.

City of Millen Mayor King Rocker congratulated Millen Rotary Club members for their willingness to contribute to the community.

"This is a good civic project, and it will certainly help beautify the downtown area of the city as well as meet a community need," he said.

Mayor Rocker added that the city would continue to maintain the area after it is completed. The city currently leases the property from Norfolk Southern Railroad.

A grand opening for the park is planned when the project is completed, Burke said, noting that she had already received a lot of positive response to the project from the community.

For additional information or to make a donation to the project, contact Wanda Burke and 982-5581 or Kirk Rocker at 982-2266.