October 6th, 2024 — In the latest chapter of community love and service, volunteers once again gathered at Rotary Park, located at 100 W. Barstow Avenue in Clovis, three months after the initial cleanup day that marked the beginning of its transformation. The Clovis Rotary Club returned with the same energy and dedication, eager to continue what they started — this time, kicking off the day with the aroma of freshly cooked pancakes and the sizzle of sausages.
As the sun rose, breakfast wasn’t just a meal but a celebration of progress. Volunteers lined up for a hearty spread that included orange juice, steaming coffee, and a bar stocked with condiments for pancakes, fueling up for another round of painting and park enhancements. Laughter mingled with the clink of utensils, setting a cheerful tone for the day’s work ahead.
And then, as if on cue, they got to work.
With rollers and brushes in hand, small groups divided to tackle the remaining tasks. One team climbed ladders and applied fresh coats of paint to the bathroom areas, bringing them back to life with clean strokes of beige and bright trim. Meanwhile, a larger group focused on the baseball field’s backdrop, where the wood behind the catcher’s mound gleamed with a fresh coat of white, providing a renewed stage for future games and community gatherings.
What stood out, however, wasn’t just the paint but the process. There was a rhythm to the teamwork: paintbrushes moved in unison, each volunteer aware of their role in the bigger picture. Leaders like Ken Church and Rufi Alday continued to guide the efforts, encouraging everyone to embrace the project’s vision for the park.
“This is what makes Clovis special,” remarked Alday, watching the park transform with each stroke of the brush. “It’s about everyone pitching in — no task too small, no role too insignificant.”
The Rotary Club’s commitment to community is rooted not just in large-scale projects but in these smaller, often overlooked acts of service. This follow-up effort solidifies the group’s intention to see every detail through, whether it’s sanding rough edges or simply providing a hearty breakfast to ensure their volunteers feel appreciated.
As they packed up the last of the paint supplies and cleared away the breakfast tables, there was a quiet satisfaction among the volunteers — the kind that comes from knowing that they’re part of something bigger. Rotary Park now stands as more than a recreational space; it’s a living testament to what’s possible when a community rolls up its sleeves and commits to building a place that future generations will cherish.
The Rotary Club of Clovis may have ambitious plans for Rotary Park’s future — from multi-tiered stadium seating to new installations — but it’s these small, meaningful improvements that build the foundation for those larger dreams.
For now, though, it’s the simple beauty of a freshly painted fence and the camaraderie over pancakes that tells the real story of a community at work.