Dedicated to "Service Above Self" since 1924                                          "They Profit Most Who Serve Best"

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This page is provided for historical reference as the original centennial project web page.  It has been updated and replaced by a new web page about the Centennial Project.

Rotary Centennial Community Project 2004-2005:
Jenkintown Town Square  Beautification and Periodic Maintenance

Special Notice from President Schaphorst about the Rotary Centennial Project

"...we were planning on a major effort at the Town Square [on] Saturday, May 14, as part of our Centennial Landscape Project.  It was planned to plant flowers, mulch, rake and also dedicate our project with a plaque around noon.  Well, the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray ... our contractor has run into difficulty at the work site...A large amount of underground debris [was encountered during installation of] the irrigation system, and the Square will be far from finished on [May 14].  As a result, it is now planned that we will work [on] two Saturdays (May 14 and May 21) rather than only one ... we will have to wait until May 21 to complete the job and have the dedication...." 

The Jenkintown Town Square was Partially Completed in 2003

The Jenkintown Town Square project was “completed” over two years ago.  However, due to cost over-runs, and a poor relationship with the contractor on the project, the landscaping expenditures were severely reduced.  Budget cuts precluded following the original landscape architect's plan for selection and placement of plantings.  The plantings used were inappropriate to the site, and poorly suited to an urban environment.  Landscaping maintenance was also neglected.  The result was scrubby, dead, or dying plantings in a site detracting from Jenkintown's charm instead of augmenting it.

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Photographs of the Jenkintown Town Square (April 2005)

This is a highly visible and much used asset in our community that needs help!  The Borough of Jenkintown needs to complete and maintain this valuable real estate for public enjoyment, local beautification to enhance the business environment, and as an attractive location for community events.

Professionally Planned and Supervised Renovation

Ed Landau, a local Jenkintown Landscape Architect, donated his time and expertise to thoroughly evaluate the square.  He made specific recommendations for completion of the original design for the Town Square.  The Rotary Club of Jenkintown then brought his recommendations to the professional landscaping firm of Garrett Churchill for help with design execution.  (Garrett Churchill is a highly regarded firm known, among other things, for landscaping improvement of Glenside’s Keswick Circle.)  Proper renovations were projected to cost $20,000 - provided volunteer labor could be used to augment work by professional landscapers.

Initial renovations will include installation of a state of the art underground drip irrigation system, new plantings (trees, shrubs, and flowering plants), and new plant- protecting mulches.

A Community Service by the Rotary Club of Jenkintown

In honor of Rotary International's 100 years of service to humanity, the Rotary Club of Jenkintown has marshaled the talents and energy of it's membership to complete beautification of the Jenkintown Town Square as a community service project.  The Rotary Club of Jenkintown organized and ran a very successful pancake breakfast to raise funds for the renovation.  Our fundraising generated $5,000 for the project, making it eligible for another $5,000 in matching funds from the Rotary International Foundation.  The resulting $10,000 donation from the local and international Rotary organizations was then matched by the Borough of Jenkintown from funds previously allocated to the Jenkintown Town Square.  Fresh Fields Whole Foods Market in Jenkintown has graciously donated annual flowering plants to the project.

The Rotary Club of Jenkintown plans to continue periodic efforts to maintain the gardens of the Jenkintown Town Square using volunteer services and labor of our members, and by continuing financial support though charitable giving by the club.

The Jenkintown Borough Council approved our plans for the renovation.  This community service project of the Rotary Club of Jenkintown will rely on a combination of labor by Garrett Churchill's employees, volunteer service by our club membership and local residents all working together under the guidance of the professionals.

 Join Us for the First Community Clean-up & Planting Day in the Jenkintown Town Square

We welcome the assistance of community volunteers during the first community clean-up and planting day in the Jenkintown Town Square.  Please join us in our endeavor to renovate and beautify Jenkintown, at the Jenkintown Town Square, on:

Saturday, May 21, 2005  at  9:00 am

(Rain date: the following Saturday)

Text & Photos by Judy Hendrixson