Rotary Club Plans Niwot Playground
    
BY GENEVIEVE JACOBI
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Jo Kirkenaer and some of his friends realized there was nowhere for children to play in downtown Niwot, so they started looking into building a playground at Whistle Stop Park.
Funds for the would-be playground are being raised through Niwot’s Rotary Club. The group is currently applying for a matching grant from the District Rotary Club.
Kirkenaer, who was born and raised in Oslo, Norway, has been an active member of Rotary Clubs all over the U.S. for the past 30 years. He joined the Rotary Club of Niwot three years ago, after moving to this area.

“Service Above Self” is The Rotary Club’s motto. District 5450, of which The Rotary Club of Niwot is a part, includes 67 chapters in North Central Colorado.
The Rotary Club of Niwot has already raised $3,000 for the Whistle Stop Park playground during one of its two regularly scheduled annual events – the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Tasting held on May 13.

The second event is the upcoming Niwot Rotary
Oktoberfest on the first Saturday in October in Cottonwood Square.

The source of the grant money available to local Rotary Clubs comes from members’ annual giving, half of which is returned to the district after being invested for three years.

The Rotary Club of Niwot is working out the details of its grant proposal. “We have to understand the liabilities and legalities regarding the playground and adjust both equipment and contractor requirements accordingly,” said Kirkenaer. “The intent is that the club members will do as much work as possible and be responsible for maintaining the equipment after installation.”

In the past, Rotary members have been active in painting the caboose and later stenciling the old railroad car which is visible to passers-by along the Diagonal Highway. “Maybe with a playground, the kids will stay off the caboose,” said Kirkenaer.

For more information about The Rotary Club of Niwot, see www.niwotrotary.org.