Rotary Raises Funds for Pleasanton Park Clock

Pleasanton’s Rotary clubs have taken a step toward financing a planned traditional street clock for a downtown park from $2012 raised at May 9 fund-raising poker tournament.  

Fifty-three entrants participated in the competition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton at the Veterans Memorial Building on Main Street. Prizes were awarded to the top five competitors.  

Net proceeds were contributed to help pay for a planned traditional pedestal clock to be erected at the current site of Pleasanton’s Main Street Green Park at Main Street and Vervais Avenue.  

Rotary Club of Pleasanton, Pleasanton North Rotary, and Tri-Valley Evening Rotary Club have asked the city to rename the facility to become Rotary Park in recognition of their nearly 50 years of local community service.

The Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved a measure May 15 to rename the park. The proposal was forwarded to the Pleasanton City Council for final consideration.

Clock design and permission for its installation are also subject to city government review.  Club members have already invested considerable volunteer time and money into the park.

They built a bench, brick walkway, installed lighting, repaired a kiosk, cleared the path that leads to the nearby arroyo trail, and planted 600 daffodils, according to Brad Hirst, steering committee chair, in 2005 as part of the centennial celebration of Rotary International, the global umbrella association for the local chapters.  

The park designation and clock are part of a year-long 50th anniversary for Pleasanton’s three Rotary clubs. The events are intended to attract new members to Rotary by drawing attention to the clubs’ contributions to the quality of life in Pleasanton through numerous community service projects and international outreach.

Since 1965, Pleasanton three Rotary clubs have been responsible for millions of dollars of charitable giving made possible through hands-on involvement, fund-raising events, personal giving, and Rotary International Foundation grants.  

You are encouraged to attend a meeting of any one of Pleasanton’s three Rotary Clubs as a potential outlet for community service.

Meeting times and locations are as follows:

• Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. Hap’s Original Steaks and Seafood, 122 W. Neal St., Pleasanton. 
• Rotary of Pleasanton North. Fridays at 12:15 p.m. Hilton Hotel, 7050 Johnson Dr., Pleasanton. 
• Tri-Valley Evening Rotary Club. Thursdays at 6 p.m. Castlewood Country Club, 707 Country Club Circle, Pleasanton.