Rotary Blog

Rotary Advances Airport Heights Park Revitalization into Engineering Phase

The Coos Bay–North Bend Rotary Club is pleased to announce significant progress in the ongoing revitalization of Airport Heights Park, marking an important transition from planning to implementation.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Coos County Airport District (CCAD), Rotary continues to lead coordination and advancement of the Airport Heights Park Revitalization Project. Although the CCAD Park Steering Committee did not meet in February, Rotary remained committed to moving the project forward and ensuring timely communication with partners and stakeholders.

Behind the scenes, substantial work has taken place. The process of developing and issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engineering firms included participation and input from members of the Airport’s Steering Committee. Their expertise in construction and infrastructure helped strengthen the evaluation process and ensure long-term alignment with airport and community needs.

Rotary is excited to report that proposals were received, carefully reviewed, and an engineering firm has now been selected to guide the next phase of development. This milestone represents a pivotal step forward. Once the contract is executed, the engineering team will begin developing detailed cost estimates and supporting the launch of major fundraising efforts necessary to move the project toward construction.

In addition, Groundworkshop, the firm that developed the park’s Master Plan, remains actively engaged. Groundworkshop has continued to monitor progress and has provided valuable insight regarding emerging funding opportunities, reinforcing a shared commitment to seeing the project move from concept to completion.

“This is an exciting moment for our Club and our community,” said Rotary Chair Samantha Oswald. “We are proud to move from vision to action, transforming concepts into real progress as Airport Heights Park advances toward engineering and construction.”

The Rotary Board has formally accepted the recommendation of the Rotary Park Steering Committee to proceed with this next phase, demonstrating strong organizational alignment and commitment to delivering a successful outcome.

In the coming weeks, Rotary will provide additional updates regarding engineering timelines, phased development plans, fundraising strategies, and opportunities for community partners to engage in the revitalization effort. The Club also plans to update its website and may share on-site progress updates within the park to keep the public informed.

Upon execution of the engineering contract, Rotary will coordinate a formal public announcement and broader media outreach to highlight this milestone and outline next steps.

The Coos Bay–North Bend Rotary Club extends its appreciation to the Coos County Airport District for its continued partnership and looks forward to advancing this important community asset together.

For more information, please visit the Rotary Club website or contact the Coos Bay–North Bend Rotary Club directly.

Stay and Extra Night for Bay Area Fun Festival

Make Your Festival Weekend Last a Little Longer

After the Bay Area Fun Festival, Annual Prefontaine Run, and Cruz the Coos, why rush home? Our local lodging partners are offering special Sunday night discounts so you can extend your stay, relax, and enjoy more of Oregon’s Adventure Coast. If you’re traveling south, keep in mind that Highway 101 will have a Sunday night detour due to construction — the perfect excuse to stay over, avoid the extra drive, and make your weekend even better. Scroll to see each property’s lodging discount offer. Please contact each property directly to make your reservations and get your savings.

Visit the Oregon’s Adventure Coast’s website for a list of deals to make the weekend last!

Bus Jam Toy and Food Drive December 6th.

Join the Coos Bay North Bend Rotary Club on December 6th for the annual Bus Jam Toy and Food Drive at Coos Bay and North Bend Bi-Mart and Rogue Credit Union in Bandon from 10 AM to 3 PM. Collection events will begin in middle of November through drop-offs in Coos County and Reedsport locations. For more information or to sign your family up visit busjam.org.

Steve Schneiderman

Welcome to the online home of the Coos Bay – North Bend Rotary Club!
This year our theme is “Create Hope in the World” and under the leadership of Rotary International President Gordon McInally and District Governor Jim Polk, this is exactly what we’re doing.

The Coos Bay – North Bend Rotary Club has been active in our community for 102 years. A few of our many projects include the annual Bus Jam Toy and Food collection and distribution event,  The Festival of Trees, Gift of Literacy, The Cruz the Coos and Show n Shine, and the Rotary Prefontaine Track Meet. Our newest project is a biggie. We are working with the Coos County Airport District to revitalize the Airport Heights Park. This multi-year project will make this park an awesome gathering point for the community.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Steven J Schneiderman
President

COMMUNITY INVITED TO PARK REVITALIZATION OPEN HOUSE

The Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club is inviting the community to the first open house to provide feedback about the revitalization and redesign of Airport Heights Park. Come and hear about the park, how the design will be developed, and share your ideas about what you would like to see for the future of Airport Heights. Bring your thoughts and memories of your favorite parks and help us look toward the future of what Airport Heights Park might become in this exciting process!

Event Details:
May 16, 2024, from 6-8pm
North Bend Senior Center
1470 Airport Lane, North Bend OR 97459

The park is located in the Airport Heights area of North Bend and is owned by the Coos County Airport District (CCAD). In 2022, CCAD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club to revitalize the park that served the community for over 60 years. The park currently houses a playground, baseball field, sand volleyball, basketball, and tennis court. Rotary is working with a park consulting firm, Groundworkshop out of Portland, to develop a master plan
to guide the revitalization and redevelopment of the park for the next several years.

This first community meeting will be an opportunity for citizens to meet the Groundworkshop and Rotary Parks Committee teams as well as help guide the park’s future. For more information visit the Rotary website www.coosbaynorthbendrotary.org
or Coos Bay – North Bend Rotary on Facebook.

The Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club has served the Bay area for more than 100 years through community service projects. The organization has business leaders from the Coos Bay and North Bend areas. The Memorandum of Understanding for the park is a long-term commitment to continue the work on creating better livability through healthy, outdoor activities and recreation, and to do this by focusing on the future, which is our youth, while providing access for all abilities.

Donations can be made by scanning the Venmo QR Code or visiting the Coos Bay Oregon Pacific Bank Branch and asking that the donation go towards Airport Heights Park.

President Bill Grile

Welcome to the online home of the Coos Bay – North Bend Rotary Club!
This year our theme is “Create Hope in the World” and under the leadership of Rotary International President Gordon McInally and District Governor Jim Polk, this is exactly what we’re doing. As
Rotarians, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. We are People of Action: Our priority is Service Above Self. We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us see challenges in unique ways. We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues — and find unique
solutions. We act ethically and responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change. We make a difference at home and around the world: Coos Bay – North Bend Rotarians are
your friends, neighbors, community and business leaders uniting to advance solutions to problems at home and abroad. Want to learn more about how you could make a difference as a Coos Bay – North Bend Rotarian? Just let me hear from you!

Yours in Rotary Service,
President Bill Grile

Cruz the Coos

The Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club is proud to present that Annual Cruz the Coos and Show ‘n Shine as part of the Bay Area Fun Festival. Cruz the Coos is one of the longest-running and largest classic car cruises on the Oregon Coast. It runs through the streets of downtown Coos Bay and is enjoyed by thousands of spectators.

The Show ‘n Shine is an opportunity to see vintage cars and trucks that have been beautifully restored. Talk with the owners and visit restaurants and amenities offered at The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park. Proceeds generated from entry fees are put to use by the Rotary club to fund projects throughout the area including scholarships, humanitarian efforts, and other non-profit organizations in the community.

While you’re in the area, enjoy the Bay Area Fun Festival, one of the largest festivals on the Oregon Coast. The festival not only features the Cruz and Show ‘n Shine but the Prefontaine Memorial 10K Run, Street Vendors, a parade, and much more.