With the start of the volunteer work season less than a month away, members of the Batavia Riverwalk Committee want everyone in the city involved.
A Riverwalk “Home Stretch” presentation at 7 p.m. April 22 in Shannon Hall of the Eastside Community Center will unveil final plans and launch the 1996 funding and volunteer drives, according to Britta McKenna, public relations manager for the committee.
In 1996, the Riverwalk Committee plans to finish the entry court and remaining brick work as well as start on the Riverwalk Activity Center.
The entry court will feature tiered overlooks and a fountain with water cascading at different levels. Banner poles, benches, trash cans, light poles and landscaping will be added.
Though not yet funded, construction of the Activity Center is scheduled to be completed by Christmas, McKenna said. The center will serve as a meeting area for civic groups and Batavia Park District classes as well as serve as a warming house in the winter for skaters at Depot Pond.
This month, volunteers will start organizing engraved bricks in pallets and logging where the bricks are to be placed in the Riverwalk. Once all of the bricks and names are compiled, the listing will be available at the Depot Museum, according to Charlie Gillenwater, alderman and Riverwalk Committee member.
McKenna said the engraved bricks are scheduled to be laid during the 1996 International Windmill’s Trade Fair, June 12 to 15.
The Saturday volunteer work days start May 4 and the committee will continue scheduling a Group of the Week. Volunteers work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday through October.
McKenna said the volunteers will start on the city’s leg of the riverwalk, south of Wilson Street.
