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The Leadership Team
Front, from left: Paul Kelly, Honorary Chairman; Martha Beckwith, Board President and Trustee Chairperson; John Rauh, General Chairman. Back: Dr. Jonathan Gradie, Vice Chairman; Nancy Adams-Gradie, Campaign Coordinator; Pam Brown, Donor Relations; Jeff Bond, Major Gifts co-Chairman. Absent when photo was taken: Patrick O’Brien, Corporate Chairman; Tony Listro, Major Gifts co-Chairman; Lynn Converse, Community Chairperson.
Following more than two years of study, preparation, organization and diligent effort by the Roseland Park & Golf Course Board of Trustees and The Legacy Campaign leadership team, Trustee President Martha Beckwith indicated that the Capital Campaign is surpassing its original Phase I estimates.
In September 2023 under the leadership of campaign General Chairman John Rauh, Vice Chairman Dr. Jonathan Gradie and Honorary Chairman Paul Kelly, The Legacy Campaign “150 Years and Beyond” announced its intention of raising $500,000 for renovation and revitalization of the park and golf course. Estimates produced by the Board noted that work and materials cost to restore the property, which will celebrate its 150-year anniversary in 2026, would range between $2 million to $3million.
“When we embarked on the $500,000 Phase I of the campaign, we faced many doubts and questions. Working together as a team and in close concert with our consultant we slowly began to see positive financial results. We are extremely thankful for the many gifts we’ve received, both large and small and appreciate the positive response from the donors we’ve contacted,” said Beckwith.
Since the campaign kickoff, gifts of cash and pledges have surpassed the original goal of $500,000 and have reached approximately $780,000. This early success has prompted a Board decision to extend the goal for Phase I to $1 million.
“The decision to extend the Phase I goal came after the early success made us realize we could begin work on the project much sooner than anticipated. Tree clearing has begun at the golf course and in the area of the Little League fields. We’ve also began clearing the new entrance to the park. All this has been accomplished thanks to the generosity of the donors,” said Campaign Chairman John Rauh.
In addition to the work that’s already begun, the Board anticipates work to begin in the spring on roadways and walkways in the park making walking and driving safer for the thousands of visitors who use the facility annually. Extensive work is planned in the future for the greens and tee boxes at the golf course and renovations to the barn will include the construction of modern public facilities. All these plans are part of the overall long-term plans of the Board in conjunction with noted park architect Will Martin, a former Woodstock resident, whose Ground View corporate office is located in Boston.
“We ask that the users of the Park and Golf Course are understanding as we move forward with this restoration project. As they say with construction projects, ‘pardon our dust as we modernize our facilities.’ We want make our facility beautiful for future users and to honor the Park founder Henry Chandler Bowen,” said Rauh.
Working with Rauh, Gradie, Kelly and Beckwith are the Leadership team of Patrick O’Brien, Jeff Bond, Tony Listro, Lynn Converse, Pam Brown, Marc Cotnoir and Campaign Coordinator Nancy Adams.
“I’m thankful for the leadership team we’ve assembled. These are dedicated individuals who not only have provided financial support but have given hundreds of hours of personal time to ensure the success we’ve achieved,” said Rauh.
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