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The year 2005 marked the centennial of Rotary International. In 2003 every Rotary club was asked by the Board of Directors of Rotary International to participate in a community Centennial project. Five Rotary clubs in Reno/Sparks joined together along with the Housing Authority of the City of Reno (RHA) to build Rotary Centennial Park, a part of the Friendship Lane Revitalization project. (At the time of the Centennial Park project, the Rotary Clubs of Reno Centennial Sunset and Sparks Centennial Sunrise had not been chartered.) Friendship Lane (which has been renamed Hillboro Place) is a one block long street in Reno just east of the Reno Fairgrounds. The RHA purchased a group of duplex homes that failed a building code inspection and could not be rehabilitated. These homes have been raised. The RHA financed and built 9 homes that were sold to low income families, with low interest mortgages. Included in the project, which is called Hillboro Place, is a park. The park has been designed as a family park. As such it will have playground equipment and picnic tables. The Reno/Sparks Rotary clubs provided approximately $50,000 towards the cost of the park. The balance of the costs come from foundation grants and the RHA. Rotarians also helped with the construction and landscaping of Centennial Park, which helped to keep the costs down. At a September 18, 2004 work day, approximately 50 Rotarians from the five Reno/Sparks clubs moved dirt, planted trees, and enjoyed Rotary fellowship. (Photos of the work day, and of the homes under construction are posted. Click here to view photos.) On October 27, 2005 Rotary Centennial Park was dedicated and turned over the City of Reno, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. (photos of the Dedication are posted here) The Rotary clubs that were involved in the Centennial Park project were the Rotary Clubs of Reno, Reno Central, Reno South, Reno Sunrise and Sparks. The proceeds from the 2004 Reno Sunrise SweetArt Dinner supported Centennial Park.
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