Roseland Legacy campaign tops $1 million mark
WOODSTOCK —  The Roseland Park & Golf Course Legacy Campaign “150 Years and Beyond” steering committee chairman John Rauh and Board of Trustees President Martha Beckwith announced Phase I of the capital campaign reached $1 million, doubling the original goal of $500,000.
 “Embarking on the campaign our Board was cautiously optimistic that we would achieve our goal.  Celebrating this successful landmark, we are pleased with the support the Campaign has received and the work that’s been completed with the money.  Observing the changes taking place in the park and on the golf course, makes us all very grateful to the many donors from Woodstock and surrounding communities who placed their trust in us,” said Beckwith.
Under the guidance of Chairman John Rauh and the planning and coordination of committee members, immediate changes are noticeable on both sides of Roseland Park Road.
The golf course, which recently opened for play for the 2025 season, is in the capable hands of course manager Mike Pizzetti.  Improvements so far include much improved conditions to the greens, widening of fairways and removal of encroaching trees, upkeep and maintenance to the clubhouse, construction of a new bridge between the 1st and 2nd holes, new and improved carts and all-around upkeep of the historic nine-hole layout.
Adjacent to the course golfers will enjoy a modern driving range, complete with a mechanized ball dispenser, 16 new and comfortable driving stations, and an expanded driving area, measuring 350 yards, able to accommodate long ball hitters.  Rauh and his team have also purchased new and gently used equipment to keep up with the day-to-day needs of both the course and range.
Scenic Roseland Lake can now be viewed upon entering the park through the new main entrance.  The roads within the park have witnessed new and improved traffic patterns designed for the safety of pedestrians, children and seniors.  An initial coat of asphalt was laid down in the fall and the roads will receive a second “finish layer” in early May, thanks to the work of Pinecroft Paving and Landscaping. 
Underground wiring and seeding of highly trafficked play areas as well as those areas where roadways have been permanently removed, will make the center of the park greener, safer, and more enjoyable.  All of these features will be officially unveiled around the 4th of July when the committee will celebrate the revitalized Roseland and publicly say thank you to its many donors.
The committee is busy planning the next phase of improvements and revitalization to the nearly 150-year-old property, which was entrusted in 1876 by Henry Chandler Bowen to a trust initially comprised of his children, and is the same Trust that manages the park today.
“Witnessing the positive changes and improvements to the properties has proven energizing to our committee.  As the work moves forward, we look forward to completing Phase I of our efforts.  As a private non-profit entity we are grateful to those individuals and businesses who have shown faith in our effort by willingly supporting the park and golf course,” said Chairman Rauh.
The committee continues to execute the remainder of Phase I, still to include construction of a basketball court in the vicinity of the Little League complex, continued improvement to the children’s play area, finalization of the new main entrance, improvements to existing structures especially to the boat house and other park amenities.
“These are exciting times for Roseland Park and Golf Course.  The community is fortunate that Mr. Bowen had the foresight and generosity to make his dream the dream of all of us more than a century later,” Rauh said. 

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