Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Worland Rotary President Ken Westphal (center) accepts the Wyoming Association of Municipalities Community Hero Award for Region 3 at the WAM meeting in Cheyenne July 15 from Cody Mayor and WAM President Matt Hall (left) and Worland Mayor Jim Gill (right).
WORLAND - For the second year in a row, the City of Worland's nomination for Community Hero was selected as the regional award by the Wyoming Association of Municipalities. On July 15, Worland Rotary Club was honored with the WAM Region 3 Community Hero Award.
Worland Mayor Jim Gill made an award presentation before the council during Tuesday's regular meeting.
According to Earla Checchi of WAM, "Successful communities often show places of care, attention, history and heritage." The Community Hero Award allows cities to honor the people in their community who support community enhancement projects, including, but not limited to, beautification, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, community recreation programs, and/or events that benefit the entire community.
The WAM Board of Directors selects a winner from each region at the spring board meeting in May.
Winners were recognized at the 2021 WAM Summer Convention and will be featured in an article in the WAM Connections, WAM's bimonthly newsletter.
The City of Worland nominated the Rotary Club of Worland for the Community Hero Award in recognition of their on-going efforts to enhance the community usage of Rotary Riverside Park.
Rotary Club of Worland President Ken Westphal said, "Myself and the rest of the board were very honored to receive the nomination and the award as so many members had assisted on the park, which really became a part of our program."
According to the nomination write-up, "over the last 10 years Rotary Club of Worland has worked with the City of Worland and various community businesses and organizations to improve the amenities at the park. Initially, the vision was to provide a walking/fitness path to allow visitors to utilize a variety of fitness stations for a comprehensive workout along a perimeter walking trail. This design allowed parents to engage in a fitness activity along a trail that encircled some of the existing playground equipment. This project was completed in 2014 and was significantly disrupted by flooding and ice damage from the adjacent Big Horn River shortly thereafter. Once the flooding risk was mitigated the Worland Rotary club promptly replaced the damaged equipment to put the fitness stations and pathway back into full service.
"In 2017 Rotary Club of Worland supported the installation of a gaga ball pit for additional variety in the recreational options at Rotary Riverside Park. During the COVID pandemic of 2020 Rotary Club of Worland worked with the City of Worland to help fund and install a picnic shelter at the park as well as vehicle and handicap access to this shelter. Increased park usage has been a direct result of this improvement."
According to the nomination form, additional improvements are in motion as well including plans to provide electricity to the picnic shelter for small community concerts, outdoor movies, community and family gatherings. In addition, Rotary Club of Worland is working with the Ten Sleep Trailbreakers to expand the activities even further with the potential for a nature walk and/or bike trail north of the existing park location. Rotary Club of Worland is also beginning to explore the installation of a splash pad at the park to further enhance the family centric nature of the park. A disc golf course is also being considered.
Mayor Jim Gill wrote in the nomination form, "It is noteworthy to mention that Rotary Club of Worland goes far beyond the focused efforts at Rotary Riverside Park. While improving the amenities at the park Rotary Club of Worland sponsors a variety of other community improvement efforts on a regular basis as well as considering one time needs based requests. Rotary Club of Worland supports the following activities on an on-going basis: Mammoth Quick Draw in cooperation with the Washakie Museum, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the school backpack program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Annual First Responders Appreciation BBQ, Community Christmas Tree pickup and H Diamond W Youth Camp.
"In closing, the City of Worland is sincerely appreciative of the persistent work the Rotary Club of Worland has put forth to improve one of Worland's best kept secrets, Rotary Riverside Park. We are confident that their on-going efforts, and willingness to cooperate with other community groups, will continue to enhance the variety and utility of the park for years to come."
Last year's region winners were the "dynamic duo" as Mayor Jim Gill called them, Scott Fritzler and Kay Fritzler.
