The Rotary Club of Lancaster recently completed a project to place multiple new benches at Amos Herr Park, 1700 Nissley Road, Landisville. The benches sit on the newly developed wetlands trail in the park, and the club partnered with East Hempfield Township to purchase, assemble and install each new seat.

Members of the Rotary Club first proposed the project last January, as it aligns with one of the organization's goals to support environmental protection and awareness. Club members approached East Hempfield Township to ask how they could help with the new wetlands trail project, and the two parties decided that installing new benches would greatly improve local residents' experience.

The Rotary Club was able to raise more than $5,000 through various fundraisers such as chicken barbecues and holiday wreath sales, which it used to purchase the parts for four benches and corresponding plaques, as well as a picnic table. Members of the club volunteered to assemble the pieces of each bench, which were installed along the paved trail at the park. The pieces of the picnic table will remain in storage until the remainder of the trail has been completed.

The Rotary Club members worked with the township to find vendors for the project parts to ensure the new benches would match the existing ones. The township provided the volunteers with the tools required to assemble the seats and transport them to the trail.

The wetlands trail has been developed over the last year and a half in an area of the park that was formerly a field of grass, and it is estimated to be finished in the spring. The trail itself is a loop that is about a mile and a half, providing a handicapped-accessible route for people to take photos and enjoy nature before making their way back to the main park area. Another goal of installing the trail is to provide the public with more information regarding wetlands preservation.

In addition to its mission to support environmental protection, the Rotary Club's other goals include promoting global peace, researching a cure for polio, providing clean water for communities and supporting public education. Last year, the Rotary Club of Lancaster donated 5,000 books to Landisville Primary Center and Landisville Intermediate Center after the schools identified early reading support as a critical need. Club members were invited to visit the schools to see how their donation was benefitting the kids' education.

Tony DeVito, president of the Rotary Club of Lancaster, first became involved with the international organization as a member of its Carlisle chapter three years ago. DeVito worked together with other members of the Lancaster club to complete both the park bench and book donation projects. "I enjoy the ability to give back locally, as well as to support the club's bigger projects," DeVito said. The Rotary Club Foundation funds various initiatives to support the organization's goals internationally.

For more information, visit http://www.lancasterrotary.org.