Come one! Come all! Help dedicate the Whetstone Community Center!

After $5.6 million in improvements, the Whetstone Recreation Center will re-open its doors in September as the Whetstone Community Center.

Be a part of this historic event! Mayor Coleman, Recreation & Parks Director Alan McKnight, Councilmember Priscilla Tyson and others will be on hand to dedicate the Whetstone Community Center on Saturday, September 6th at 9:30 am on the north side of the building. Tours will be available following the brief ceremony and, at 10 am, the Clintonville Arts & Music Festival begins. It's a terrific day for Clintonville--come join the fun.

If you miss the September 6th tours, you can also see the center on the 2008 Clintonville Homes Tour on September 14. With a "Renovation Generation" theme, it will feature homes that have undergone extensive renovations. As one of the neighborhood's most prominent projects, the community center is being included on the tour. In addition, all proceeds benefit the WRI fundraising (thanks Clintonville Community Fund!). Click here for more information.

The Whetstone Renovation Initiative will continue our work until spring, to meet the following goals:

1) Purchase final fixtures and furnishings needed for the center. As center staff move back in and start up programs once again, they will refine their wish list. We will continue to help purchase furnishings and other necessary supplies. Click here to make an online donation.

2) Provide volunteer labor for the installation of the new playground. We are working with the city to organize a playground build on September 18 and 19. Contact Nikki Hudson at nhudson@one.net to volunteer or for more information.

3) Install a community patio adjacent to the playground in the spring of 2009. Yes, this means that brick sales will continue through next March. But don’t delay your purchase—we will finalize the budget for the patio based on the number of bricks we sell by the end of this year. Click here for a brick order form.

There is much to celebrate. None of this would have happened without the involvement of hundreds of local residents—from folks who filled out surveys back in 2005, to those who gave donations and bought bricks, to the tireless volunteers who attended endless meetings, staffed tables at community events, and asked friends, neighbors and businesses to contribute.

And now Clintonville has a terrific facility—air-conditioned, updated and expanded—to better serve the community. Thanks to all who made this possible. Let’s celebrate on September 6th, 9:30 am. See you there!

Why I love Clintonville

When we launched the WRI fundraising campaign last summer, the goal was to raise funds to help complete the renovation project. We also sought to build community while the community center was being built--by involving lots of people, raising the visibility of the project and helping lay the foundation for a vibrant, active community center.

Two of the latest Whetstone fundraisers really exemplify this community spirit. On August 23, Maple Grove United Methodist Church hosted a Moonlight and Magic dinner, with proceeds to benefit the community center. It was a sold-out event, with 140 attendees who enjoyed--by all accounts--a wonderful evening of food, music and magic. It was organized entirely independently of the WRI committee, as was their Chili Cook-off benefit last fall. As Reverend Coy said, helping the community is "what we do."

This summer, some of Kenworth Road's younger residents have hosted two lemonade stands to benefit the community center. As frequent users of the center, they wanted to get involved and help with the fundraising effort. Their final lemonade stand of the season is planned for September--keep an eye out if walking or driving by!

As an all-volunteer effort, there have been times when our ideas have outstripped our resources or our follow-through has been slow (if you're waiting for a thank you note, bear with us! We're working on it!). But the willingness of so many people to get involved and be a part of this project is inspiring.

You can measure the commitment to this project by the roll call on the left column--the names of the individuals, families and businesses that have bought bricks or contributed to the fundraising. You can also measure that commitment by the time, energy and events that have been a part of this community (center) building project.

Here's a list to try to capture some of the events, activities and partners involved in this project since the Whetstone renovation groundbreaking last June. Given the breadth of activity over this past year, this is likely an incomplete list--I'm posting it in part to get feedback on necessary revisions and updates. So I apologize in advance for any omissions or mistakes--I'll edit this posting with updates as they come in.

EVENTS: To raise awareness of the campaign and promote individual gifts and brick sales, we staffed tables at community events, including: Cruise the Ville, Farmer's Market (three different dates this year), July 4th Breakfast, North on the Fourth, Rose Festival and Clintonville Education Fair. We also helped organize the public groundbreaking ceremony in June of 2007.

PRESENTATIONS/PUBLIC AWARENESS: Over the past year, we also talked to community groups, including the North Area Realtors Association, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce and Clintonville Area Commission. We put brick order forms in a number of stores and distributed flyers and posters about various events to targeted audiences. In addition, with the help of approximately 75 volunteers, we stuffed 12,000(!) bags with Clintonville directories that feature the community center project, plus included a flyer about the fundraising. We launched a Web site plus this blog, and started emailing monthly updates in the spring. We wrote three different columns for The Booster and benefited from extensive coverage in both The Booster and This Week.

FUNDRAISERS: We hosted--or benefited from--a number of fundraisers: Maple Grove's Moonlight & Magic Dinner; Byrne's Pub Benefit with Todd May and Erika Carey & the Calamities; three different preview parties; two street party benefits (Longview and Amazon); strawberry shortcake sales at the Rose Festival; the Clintonville Homes Tour; Shop Clintonville's Holiday Open House; the Clintonville Art League's holiday sale; Maple Grove's Chili Cook-off; Studio 35's benefit movies on non-school days (four different dates); the Kiwanis Soccer Snack Tent (12 different dates! what dedication!) and last year's climbing wall at Cruise the 'Ville. Plus let's not forget the neighborhood kids who held lemonade stands and the home-schooled students who held a bake sale.

All of this took thousands of hours of volunteer time. And let me just mention that the project is not yet over! We still have some fundraising to do, a playground to install and a patio to build (see next posting for more details). But as the building re-opens soon, it's worth celebrating the support that the community has shown for this project. This bodes well for the center's new name: Whetstone Community Center.

Terrific night at Byrne's Pub

Thanks to all who showed up to celebrate Clintonville, good music, good times and the Whetstone Community Center! The pub fundraiser was great fun and a successful fundraiser too. Special thanks to Erika Carey and the Calamities and Todd May for lending their talents to the evening.

Brian Byrne--Northridge resident, commissioner on the Clintonville Area Commission plus a co-owner of Byrne's Pub--offered to host another pub night fundraiser sometime in the future. If you know any Clintonville (or other) musicians who might want to take part, email Brian at boru7272@wowway.com.

This Week News sent a photographer and had a great picture from the event on their front page two weeks ago. I don't have any permission to post their photos, so I'm not going to add them here. But if you're interested, you can find some pictures from the evening (as well as some nice pictures of the renovations) in their Clintonville photo gallery:
http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?gallery_id=11829&sequencenum=24&provider_id=463&process=gallery&page=thumbnails

Check out this cool poster

I'm pleased to announce that Todd May will be joining Erika Carey & the Calamities on August 9th at the Byrne's Pub fundraiser. Please help spread the word!

Benefit Concert & Pub Night

Join us at Byrne’s Pub on August 9th at 7 pm for a terrific evening of music to benefit the Whetstone renovation project. The headlining band is an awesome, Clintonville-based folk rock group: Erika Carey and the Calamities. Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/erikacarey. Special thanks to Erika, Brian Byrne and everyone who is making this special evening possible. More details to follow. Mark your calendars for a terrific evening of music and fun—all for a terrific cause!

Drop-off Driveway?

A meeting with be held at the Library on Thursday, July 31 at 7 pm to discuss options for using funds allocated back in 2002 through the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Program. According to the city’s Website, “The Urban Infrastructure Recovery Program funds several million dollars of capital improvements per year in Central City Neighborhoods. Residents propose projects based on a premise they know their neighborhood needs. Since 1992, $36 million in public roadway and public park improvements were constructed such as street paving, alley resurfacing, street lighting upgrades, street trees, curbs and sidewalks, playground equipment, and neighborhood gateways.”

The Whetstone Renovation Initiative, Clintonville Chamber, Clintonville Incorporated, North Area Realtors Association and Clintonville Historical Society are all in favor of adding a drop-off driveway to improve both the accessibility of the center. The 2002 funds need to be committed to a project before Clintonville can apply for any additional UIRF support. We are proposing to use the currently uncommitted 2002 funds for this project. However, this will require a vote of endorsement from the Clintonville Area Commission.

Please read the memo below from the Chamber for more details. And consider writing your commissioners or attending the July 31 meeting.


FROM: Chamber Board of Directors
SUBJECT: Clintonville Projects

The Chamber Board of Directors has been joined by the Board of Clintonville Incorporated to endorse two projects that we believe are important to the community. These projects would be funded by Urban Infrastructure Recovery Funds (UIRF). These funds were allocated to Clintonville as part of the High Street Improvement project in 2002. The two projects are:

--A new semi-circular driveway in front of the Whetstone Recreation Center
--Repair and renovation of the sidewalk on the east side of High Street between Croswell Rd and Overbrook Dr. (section that currently has chain link fencing)

The Chamber Board believes these two project warrant our support for a number of reasons, and it is important you let the Clintonville Area Commission know of your support.

The New Driveway
This project would enable children, seniors and others to be dropped off and picked up at the recreation center front door, thus reducing the traffic and congestion on both Hollenback Dr, and in the library and rec center parking lot. It was designed to preserve the trees along High Street. COTA has been contacted and they feel the proposed driveway would not interfere with their existing bus stop. The driveway was originally part of the recreation center master plan, but was removed from the current improvement project because of lack of funding from traditional sources. While the final plan has not been engineered, “green” pavers and other materials to minimize the driveways environmental impact are under consideration. A number of other organizations have also endorsed the project, including the North Area Realtors Association and Clintonville Historical Society.

The Overbrook Sidewalk
The current sidewalk and fence are in disrepair and are very unsightly. The proposed renovation and repair would call for removal of the fence and widening of the sidewalk. In addition an “overlook” area along the ravine would replace the existing and unsafe steps that are currently in the area.

Approval by the Clintonville Area Commission is needed for both of these projects to move forward. As business owners and residents of Clintonville, it is important that you contact your area commissioner and express your support for these two projects. Contact information can be found at: http://www.clintonvilleareacommission.org/NewsBoard/NewsBoard.asp?StartPos=1&ne_type=board&cmid=2995

New pictures!

Here are a few pictures of the community center, now in the final stages of construction. You can see what terrific improvements have been made!

Eat, drink, sing, and have fun--for a good cause!

Our favorite kind of fundraiser for the Whetstone project is one that helps build community bonds while helping build the community center.

In June, Jean & Andy Ault hosted a backyard fundraiser that brought together East Longview neighbors for food, fun and performances by local talent. By charging folks for pizza and salad—and taking brick order forms and other donations—the evening raised over $1,000 to support the center!

Last night, on July 20th, Christine & Ken Kowalski hosted friends and neighbors for a benefit party. Many thanks to Mama Mimi’s, Gatto’s and Primo Pizza for providing the food. It was a wonderful evening of food, mingling and fun—and live music! Check out this picture to see the help provided by the “back up singers.”

These two evenings were a great success—in both raising funds and fostering community. Thanks to everyone involved!

Come build the playground--September 18 & 19th

The playground has been designed and it will be marvelous! The new playground will be just behind the new addition. The existing playground—down at the soccer fields—will remain there permanently. So soon we’ll have two playgrounds at Whetstone Park.

The new playground is the new style of “urban” playstructure – a single, large piece with many different activity nodes. It was designed to serve many different age groups and with accessibility in mind. It is ramped to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Large “sails” will help provide some shade (and eventually, the four new trees nearby may help provide shade too). And, yes, it will be on a rubber play surface! We'll post a picture of the blueprints soon.

To stretch the available dollars, the installation will be a community project. More details to follow soon. To volunteer, contact Nikki Hudson at nhudson@one.net.

Community patio update—get your bricks now!

Now that we know exactly where the playground will be, the plans are being drawn for the community patio. Greg Chillog, Clintonville resident and landscape architect at The Edge Group, is designing the patio (thanks Greg!). We’ll share the initial drawings as soon as they are available. Meanwhile, don’t forget to order your engraved brick. The order form is available here: http://www.whetstonepark.org/wri/CONTRIBUTE.html

KEMBA Presents Check for Whetstone Renovation

KEMBA Financial has made a $2500 contribution to the Whetstone Renovation Initiative as part of the community fund raising campaign for the new community center. At left, WRI Co-Chair and Chamber Vice Chair Jacquelyn Lucas Murphy of Edward Jones accepts the "big check" from Clintonville KEMBA manager Gary Weaver. "As a Clintonville resident, I recognize how important this renovation project is to the Community," Weaver said. "I hope our contribution inspires other businesses to join us in supporting Clintonville's future."

KEMBA Financial Credit Union CEO Jerry Guy recognized the organizations commitment to the community. "As always we are very proud to serve anyone who works or lives in Clintonville. Contributing to the growth and welfare of this community is part of that commitment to service." (Thanks to the Clintonville Chamber for this write-up).

Wave your Clintonville flag—and support Whetstone

Are you looking for a neat way to decorate your garden and help raise funds for the Whetstone Community Center? WRI is selling 12" x 18" yard banners. Due to a generous donation from Shaune Skinner and support from the Flag Lady’s Flag Store, all of the proceeds support the Whetstone project. The design is the same as seen on the Clintonville banners that hang on the west side of High Street. You can find these garden flags at the Flag Lady's and at Backyard Experience on High Street. The cost is $22 for banner + a garden pole, or $15 for the banner only. Checks can be made out to the Clintonville Community Fund.

We need new chairs---check out the display at Longview Barber Shop

Much of the fundraising for the new community center is going toward furniture. The City’s $5.6 million investment in the center is all going towards the building improvements and the addition. When we asked the City to expand the project to include the new space and amenities (the original renovation budget was $1.25 million), we offered to help raise the funds to furnish the building.

If we don’t raise enough funds for replacement furniture by the time the building re-opens in September, we’ll bring back in the old furniture that was in the rec center before the renovation started—and some of this furniture has been in use for decades.

If you want to see an example of Whetstone’s current stock of furniture, stop by Longview Barber Shop. Dave Carty, owner of the shop and an honorary co-chair of the Whetstone Renovation Initiative campaign, has some vintage Whetstone chairs displayed in his window. Although these chairs attest to the center’s long history in the community, it would be nice to launch the community center with updated furniture.

Need I mention that you can donate online at http://www.whetstonepark.org/wri/CONTRIBUTE.html?

Sweat Equity: thanks to our volunteers

WRI volunteers have been on the summer event circuit—working at neighborhood events to help spread the word and the excitement about the new community center. At left, you’ll see Ernie Hartong, Shaune Skinner and Maria Kozelek at our booth at the July 4th breakfast. Thanks to the many volunteers who have helped make this outreach possible. And if you want to get involved and volunteer, there are still opportunities to do so! We’ll be at the Farmer’s Market on August 9th and ‘Cruise the Ville on August 23rd.

$120,000 and counting

You may have noticed a "thermometer" sign in front of Whetstone. We're using it to mark our fundraising progress this summer. Yesterday, Jacquelyn Lucas-Murphy (WRI co-chair) and Dave Carty (WRI honorary co-chair) recorded the campaign's progress thus far -- $120,000 in pledges and gifts, almost 25% of the total fundraising goal!

Fundraising plans this summer include brick sales, fundraising "preview tours," block/backyard parties and on-going individual/business requests. If you'd like to donate or get involved, please contact us via the Clintonville Chamber at 262-2790 or ernie@clintonvillechamber.com. For more information on the fundraising campaign, check out http://www.whetstonepark.org/wri/index.html.

The rec center will re-open in early September as the Whetstone Community Center. The goal is to have a vibrant, active center that serves all ages, adds to the local quality of life and helps strengthen the neighborhood. Join with your neighbors to help build a true community center.

From the Chamber's newsletter...

Rec Center Driveway and Overbrook Sidewalk Proposals for UIRF Dollars Backed By Chamber and Clintonville Incorporated. North Area Realtors Also Support Project. (For the original story, see http://www.clintonvillechamber.com/Jun08Newsletter.asp)

The two organizations with memberships in both Clintonville’s business and residential communities have agreed on two proposals for spending UIRF (Urban Infrastructure Recovery Funds) monies that were earmarked in 2001 for the Clintonville community as part of the High Street Improvements package. Both the Chamber and Clintonville Incorporated believe the first priority should be a driveway drop-off in front of the Whetstone Recreation Center, that would be accessed from High Street. The driveway would allow seniors, children and others to be dropped off at the newly renovated Center’s front door, rather than going to the rear of the building via Hollenback Dr. and the library parking lot. The proposed driveway would not cause the removal of any of the trees in front of the Center and would ease the traffic congestion in the rear of the building. The North Area Real Estate Association also supported the proposal with a vote at their June 4th meeting.

The second proposal is for the renovation of the sidewalk on the east side of High Street between Croswell and Overbrook Drive. The proposal calls for the removal of the existing chain link fence, which is in disrepair, re-construction and widening of the sidewalk, and construction of a small observation deck.

Both projects received strong support from the boards of both organizations. The Rec Center driveway was part of the original center renovation project, but was deleted because of lack of funds. Both the Chamber and Clintonville Incorporated have reviewed the projects, with Susan Delay, UIRF Program Manager for the City Development Department, and have been told the projects meet the preliminary criteria to qualify for the UIRF funding

Show your love. Buy a brick.

Give your dad lasting proof of your love and admiration -- buy an engraved brick for the Whetstone Community Center patio! Standard 4"x8" bricks are $125, 8"x8" bricks are $300. For details or to order, see http://www.whetstonepark.org/wri/brick_form.pdf

Look for us at the Rose Festival

It is the Rose Festival this weekend, June 14 & 15. We'll be there, sharing a booth with the Clintonville Historical Society (thanks Algy!). Stop by to learn more about the renovation project, buy a brick or to get involved in this final push of the fundraising campaign (or volunteer--yes, we still need volunteers for the booth).

We also need volunteers to help us at many other summer events: the Farmer's Market, July 4th and 'Cruise the Ville. Your job would be to help answer questions about the renovation project and the fundraising efforts—and don’t worry, we’ll make sure you are fully briefed on both. We’ll also try to have a second person assigned to each shift that is fully familiar with the project. Please contact Betsy Hubbard (bh@bhubbard.com) if you're able to help.

Yes, there will be a NEW playground

For anyone involved in this project, there are probably two questions that we hear most: 1) why can't we have a pool; and 2) why in the world was the playground removed?

Short answer on the pool: no space, no money.

Longer answer about the playground: the playground had to be removed because the parking lot was being expanded to accommodate the expansion of the building.

However, by the end of this year, we will have TWO playgrounds at Whetstone. The play equipment from the original playground that was in compliance with safety codes was moved to the soccer fields, to create a playground down by the lower meadow and casting pond. (Some of the larger equipment was not in compliance, and thus, could not be re-installed).

This fall, Recreation & Parks will install a second playground just behind the new addition to the community center. This will be a "community build" project, requiring a weekend's worth of labor from 60-100 volunteers. By helping build the playground, the huge savings in installation costs will go towards more and better play equipment. This new playground is in the final design stages now. It will be a "boundaryless" playground, designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

I'm very pleased to report that Nikki Hudson is heading up an organizing committee for the community build effort. Stay tuned for further details.

Good news! GRANT news!

Hurray! The WRI has been awarded $6,000 through the Neighborhood Partnership Grant, a program that is jointly supported by the Columbus Foundation and the United Way of Central Ohio. The funds will go towards the construction of a community patio (which will be paved with engraved bricks purchased by community members). This project was one of 51 funded, from a total of 169 initial applications.

We are moving forward into the design stage for the patio. As soon as we have details to share, we will!