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Campaign Leaders
The Roseland Park and Golf Course Legacy Campaign leaders include, from left, seated: Honorary Chairman Paul Kelly; Trustee President and chairperson of the Family Division Martha Beckwith; and Campaign General Chairperson John Rauh. Standing: Trustee and Community Division co-chairperson Jonathan Gradie; Campaign Coordinator Nancy Adams; Donor Relations Chairperson Pam Brown; and Major Gifts Chairperson Jeff Bond. Absent when photo was taken, Community Division co-chairperson Lynn Converse; and Corporate and Finance Division Chairperson Patrick O’Brien. Courtesy photo.
WOODSTOCK — As Roseland Park & Golf Course approaches its 150th year of service to northeastern Connecticut and towns in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Board of Trustees President Martha Beckwith recently announced plans for a Capital Campaign.
The Legacy Campaign “150 Years and Beyond” is aimed at restoring the Park and Golf Course as it was originally designed and envisioned by Henry Chandler Bowen at its opening in 1876. The goal of the campaign is $500,000. The improvement plan includes relocating and redesigning the main entrance to the park, highlighting the scenic beauty of the park and the majestic vista of the lake, and improving the roads and pathways for the safety and convenience of the thousands of organizations, visitors and walkers who use the facilities year round. The park will also see renovations to the barn and boathouse, which are currently used as event venues.
Improvements to the golf course, which have been ongoing thanks to the work of numerous volunteers, include bringing the greens and tee boxes to modern standards and restoring the irrigation system. Volunteers have been working on improving and widening the fairways and removing trees and overgrowth that have encroached on the fairways over the years. The golf course clubhouse, which serves as a registration stop for all golfers and the upstairs facility, used as a meeting venue and event facility that comfortably accommodates 75 people, is also scheduled for modernization.
“Mr. Bowen was a positive individual who was often cited in the New York Times and other prominent publications, as a man who enjoyed developing public venues for the enjoyment of others. Our mission is to bring Mr. Bowen’s dream back to life for those who enjoy the facility today and those who will benefit in the future,” said Beckwith.
John Rauh of Pomfret, also a Trustee, is the campaign general chairperson. Woodstock resident and Woodstock Academy graduate Patrick O’Brien is chairman of the Corporate and Finance Division. Jeff Bond of Woodstock will lead the Major Gifts area. Community Gifts Chairpersons are Lynn Converse and Jonathan Gradie. Beckwith heads the Trustee Division. Woodstock resident Pam Brown will coordinate campaign materials, news releases, social media, donor events and recognition. Nancy Adams of Woodstock is handling correspondence, record keeping and clerical coordination. Paul Kelly is Legacy Campaign honorary chairman.
Wilson Martin, a former Woodstock resident and principal of Boston-area based GroundView, a park and garden design firm, has been engaged to present a visualization of a future Roseland Park. The Firm will propose components to improving vehicular and pedestrian circulation, location of a new Main Entrance, parking, and improvements to lawns, operation areas, play areas and restrooms.
“We have assembled a committed Leadership Team for The Legacy Campaign ‘150 Years and Beyond.’ The team is confident that it will achieve its goal for the needed revitalization that will make the people of Woodstock and northeastern Connecticut proud. Our communities have a way of responding in time of need. The Board of Trustees is confident that this effort will make a difference and demonstrate the pride of our generation,” said Beckwith.
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