Proceeds from Catalina Rotary Club's June rose sale will further assist the funding for a unique playgroundone of only six playgrounds of its kind in the United Statesaccessible to all children regardless of physical abilities.
Milagro Playground, named for the "miracle" not only of its inception but of the amount of funds that have been raised for it, will be built in the recently revitalized Jacob's Park near Miracle Mile and Flowing Wells Road.
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Catalina Rotary Club members have made a huge contribution to the project in both time and money. "Rotarians have jumped in," Carranza said. "It was designed by a Rotarian, one contractor did the layout, legal people from the Rotary Club have donated their time, everyone came together for the kids."
Rotary International had asked rotary clubs to undertake projects that were long lasting in the community in order to celebrate the 2005 centennial year of the international organization.
Tucson Councilwoman Kathleen Dunbar suggested a playground to Catalina Rotary and then kicked in $100,000 from the city's Back-to-Basics program.
Describing the future park as needing to actually be seen to be understood, Dunbar said, "It's got a wooden roller-coastery look. When kids come here, all roadblocks are down. Everyone is equal and everyone can participate."
Other contributions came in from Rotary International, the Stocker Foundation, area businesses and other charitable organizations. Running on the success of this portion of the fundraising campaign, the club is now pushing to raise another $100,000 to fulfill the original "wish list" of playground equipment.
Proceeds from the club's 2004 Rose Sale will help reach this next goal. Roses, loose or arranged in vases, can be ordered online or through Carranza, and are $16 for a dozen or $28 for arrangements in vases.
From their own pockets, club members have given $30,000. "We're having fun with this," said Carranza. "It's a good cause and it's tax deductible."
Dunbar, citing the presence of Amphi Little League's new baseball field donated by the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the addition of a dog park and soon a new swimming pool, said Jacob's Park is poised for popularity. "This is a park that anyone can play in, or grandparents in wheelchairs can visit with their grandchildren," Dunbar said.
The neighborhood surrounding the park, Dunbar said, was in need of something positive. "When you build something good, the bad things tend to go away," Dunbar said.
"We wanted to improve the infrastructure of that area, take back that neighborhood and make people want to reinvest in it," she said. "What better reason than to have this wonderful park right there, or just five minutes away?"
Cheryl Knuhtsen is a freelance writer based in Tucson.
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