Today in Trinity Park, Federal, City and Rotary Club officials welcomed Fort Worth residents at a dedication ceremony and family picnic at the new Rotary Plaza, located at the banks of the Trinity River just below Lancaster Avenue, next to the Phyllis Tilley Bridge.

Spearheaded by The Rotary Club of Fort Worth, Rotary Plaza was created to be a new riverfront destination for Fort Worth’s residents and families to enjoy.  It features a shaded pavilion, drinking fountain, benches, and bike racks for park visitors.

“When the Rotary Club of Fort Worth was founded in 1913, it was with the ‘Service Above Self’ vision toward community cooperation, civic pride, and a willingness to pitch in for the common good,” said Tim Plocica, president of the club.  “The original Rotary Park was developed in 1916 to promote each of these ideas in a tangible way residents could enjoy with their families.  The new Rotary Plaza, conceived in celebration of our club’s Centennial, is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to serving the community we all love, and the perfect new permanent home for the 1916 Rotary Monument from the original park.”

“You can learn a lot about the type of city people desire to live in by the value placed on parks and open spaces,” said Congresswoman Kay Granger. “In Fort Worth, it’s an important part of our quality of life to have parks to visit and the Trinity River to enjoy. The new Rotary Plaza is the latest example of the priority we have placed on these public spaces throughout our community.”

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Councilman Joel Burns, who were unable to attend due to commitments out of state, each sent their well wishes to those gathered for the celebration.

“Securing abundant green space that inspires and encourages outdoor activity is an integral part of ensuring a Fit City for our residents,” shared Mayor Price.  “The Rotary Club members have exercised phenomenal commitment to this project. I hope their commitment will encourage other local organizations and businesses to participate in preserving and developing the parks and trails in our beautiful hometown.”

Councilmember Burns added, “The partnership between the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and the City of Fort Worth represents our combined commitment to benefitting all residents through service.  Fort Worth’s parks play a vital role in our community—not just for appeal, but for quality of life improvements, as well.  Our partners at the Rotary Club join us in recognizing the importance of healthy living, and this project is a fine example of our combined commitment to keeping Fort Worth great.”

"A century of service to the community is being perpetuated by this contribution,” said Richard Zavala, Director of Parks & Community Service. “The new Rotary Trailhead in Trinity Park ensures that the legacy of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth will continue to enhance the quality of life for our citizens into the future."

"Our celebration of Rotary Plaza, and it's relationship to the trail system, is a most fitting tribute to an organization long committed to service to our community. There could be no more appropriate site than along the Trinity River, the heart of Fort Worth," said Randy Gideon, Chair, Streams & Valleys, Inc.

“No program we administer is more enjoyable for the Department and Commission to oversee than our urban parks grants program,” said Ralph Duggins, Vice Chairman, Parks & Wildlife Commission.  “Fort Worth should be grateful for Mayor Price’s and Richard Zavala's commitment to a quality of life that includes parks for Fort Worth residents to enjoy. The Commission congratulates the Rotary Club for its leadership on this project and thanks it, the other donors and the City for working together to complete Rotary Plaza.  We hope we will see other civic organizations partner with the City to build more park facilities along the Trinity River corridor, and encourage voters to let our Senators and Representatives know how important the parks grants programs are.”

Today’s event, which was open to the public, was capped off with a picnic of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and ice cream to inaugurate the new public park space.

“We hope today’s picnic was just the beginning of the many happy events to take place at this location,” said Plocica.