CORTLAND Rotary park is officially opened

Cortland Rotary Club is selling bricks to raise money to build a three-tier deck for the park.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- Residents now have somewhere to go to enjoy the beauty of Walnut Creek -- Cortland Rotary Park.
The park, off East Main Street, offers the perfect location for residents to picnic and view some of the city's landscape, officials said.
"It's just beautiful here," said Mayor Melissa Long, during a dedication ceremony held at the park Tuesday. "This is something that everyone can enjoy for many years."
Long and several city officials and members of Cortland Rotary Club dedicated a gazebo that was recently constructed for the park.
"This is a park dedicated to the families of Cortland and Bazetta Township," said Jim Woofter, a Rotary member. "It's unique because it's the only park with a view of the creek. It's a place people can come and reflect and relax."
What's planned: Woofter said the central figures of the park are the creek, gazebo and a three-tiered deck that the rotary hopes to build soon. Rotary members said they will raise money to build the deck by selling bricks.
People can buy the bricks, which are 8 inches by 8 inches, for $75. The Rotary is hoping to sell 1,100 bricks, Woofter said.
"The bricks will be engraved with a message," Woofter said. "For instance, someone can buy one in memory of loved one or in honor of a friend. The bricks make good gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation or retirement."
Anyone interested in buyin a brick may call (330) 638-5500.
The bricks will be placed on a walkway which will surround the gazebo.
"In the future we would like to build a walk way next to the creek that will lead to city hall so that we can have our own type of river walk," Woofter said.
sinkovich@vindy.com