The Rockton Lions Club wants a paved footpath at Beverly Community Park — and it's ready to foot the bill.
Club member John Galer visited Hamilton City Hall on Monday to propose the path, which would connect the park's arena, playground, sports field, tennis court and picnic shelter.
"We truly believe it will be a great path for the community. The local roads out in the country, there's no sidewalks, so there's a lot of people walking up and down the side roads. So walking around this path, talking with people in the community, everyone is on board with it," Galer said.
The idea has been been brought to the Public Works Committee multiple times, with the first mention in June 2022. At the time, the city said it did not have the $200,000 that the club estimated would be needed to put in the walkways, or the $10,000 needed to maintain them.
But Galer told the committee on Monday the Lions Club is happy to take the responsibility.
"We are prepared to pay for this project in full," Galer said at the meeting. "We just need to know the next steps and the approvals so we can hopefully start this project in May 2025."
Over the past two years, according to city documents, the city's Cemeteries and Parks Department has been working out the liability and construction plan with the club.
Director of Environment Services Cynthia Graham said, "We have all the authority we need in order to proceed with executing the agreement."
Graham added there are just a few loose ends to work out with the Rockton Lions Club before the plan is finalized. One of those loose ends is confirmation of who the contractor on the project will be.
"I would anticipate that May 2025 is achievable," she said.
