Rotary Pavilion on the Erie Canal
In cooperation with the City of Lockport, the Rotary Club of Lockport is enabling construction of a new picnic pavilion adjacent to the comfort station located on Market Street near the Adam Street Lift Bridge crossing the Erie Canal. The addition of this 20’ x 40’ Open Air Pavilion is the Club’s signature contribution to creating an attractive new amenity for long-term use by both local residents and visitors. One element of the Rotary Pavilion on the Erie Canal fundraising effort is the sale of engraved, personalized paver bricks to be embedded adjacent to the two walkways leading to the new pavilion. One walkway will be lined with 4-inch by 8-inch bricks commemorating each of the 105 Club Presidents elected since the Club’s inception in 1919. These bricks are available for $100; 8-inch by 8-inch bricks (ideally suited for purchase by organizations or businesses) are available for $225. All brick purchases are tax-deductible. Bricks may be ordered online at: https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/lockportrotary. Additional pavilion project information and brick order information can be found on the Club’s web page, www.lockportrotary.com, and Facebook page. Other, pavilion-related questions can be sent to lockport.pavilion@gmail.com. The Club is also accepting other tax-deductible donations to support other park improvements. All checks should be made payable to “Lockport NY Rotary Foundation” and can be mailed to P.O. Box 1199, Lockport, NY 14049.
PHOTO: Representation of the completed 20’ x 40’ Rotary Pavilion on the Erie Canal.
- Brandi Reed
Pavilion installation is only one element of the Lockport Club’s participation in the Niagara River Rotary Greenway Initiative of 10 Rotary Clubs in Erie and Niagara Counties. In May 2020, the Rotary Club of Lockport initiated a major community service project to restore and improve the ¾ mile-long series of four City mini-parks paralleling the Erie Canal from the top of Market Street hill to the Market Street intersection with Vine Street. Portions of these parks had deteriorated over the 40 years since they had first been developed. With the approval and authorization of the Lockport Common Council, the Club designated these parks as its Greenway Initiative target area to upgrade waterfront access and recreational facilities as well as offer community wellness program opportunities.Subsequently in 2022, the City received a NYS Canal Corporation Canalway matching grant for “Lockport Lowertown Loop Phase 1” development which encompasses several of the linear parks paralleling the Erie Canal along Market Street. Phase 1 will focus on improving the trails that loop the neighborhoods on either side of the canal and re-opening the comfort station adjacent to the Adam Street Lift Bridge. The bridge is currently locked in its elevated position and closed to pedestrians. Future completion of the entire Lowertown Loop project with improved landscape, streetscape, and bridge enhancements is intended to create a more walkable, connected, livable community, while leveraging existing Lockport’s historic and cultural institutions, such as the Erie Canal, to also bolster tourism and economic development.
PHOTO: Rotary Pavilion on the Erie Canal construction status as of 3/6/24.
With City support, the Rotary Club of Lockport has conducted, to date, ten park clean-up and maintenance efforts and purchased for installation 6 blue metal park benches and 4 rugged trash receptacles. Purchase of a prefabricated pavilion kit for erection adjacent to the renovated Adam Street comfort station is the Club’s major infrastructure contribution to revitalization of the Market Street parks. Revitalization is consistent with the Club’s Greenway Initiative objective of promoting overall community development through greater use and enjoyment of these resources both now and well into the future.