Downtown park project gets boost with $100,000 donation from RCU

Business, civic and elected leaders gathered Monday for the formal groundbreaking presentation for the Whelen Ave. Park and pavilion project.

The project includes the redevelopment of a parking lot area along the east bank of the Black River in Medford in downtown Medford to include a pavilion and a splash pad. The pavilion will include bathrooms and a serving area and will provide a covered space for the downtown farmer’s market.

The project was significantly helped by a $100,000 donation from the RCU Foundation, the charitable arm of Royal Credit Union.

John Sackett, of the RCU Foundation spoke during the ground-breaking ceremony.

“Our core purpose for both the credit union and the foundation is to make positive impact on the lives and communities we touch,” Sackett said.

“The RCU Foundation supports organizations and initiatives that impact education, health and the arts. We focus on larger-scale, capital projects - those that help build community and create the spaces where people come together, and this project is a perfect fit for our foundation,” he said.

“The soon to be constructed Whelen Park will be a great addition to the city of Medford. It will be a place for friends and families to celebrate and share special moments and for the community to support local agriculture at the farmer’s market,” he said.

“The RCU Foundation is proud to support this necessary project that will en- See DOWNTOWN on page 16 hance the quality of life for all. The RCU Foundation Pavilion in Whelen Park will provide a beautiful sheltered space for the community to gather,” Sackett said.

Medford Mayor Mike Wellner also spoke during the ceremony outlining the project and praising the committee that worked to make it a reality.

Billie Hartwig of the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce also spoke thanking all those who came out to the groundbreaking ceremony and noting the importance projects such as the Whelen Park improvements will have on the Medford community and those visiting the area.

Work on the pavilion and park project is expected to begin this month and be completed this fall.