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Rotary Club: Homer-Kachemak Bay Project Title: Accessibility to Recreation 1. Describe the project. What was done, when and where did project activities take place? This project involved the purchase of 3 rolls of Mobi-Mats, an example of inclusive technology that is made from 100% recycled plastic and provides access to beaches and soft surfaces. One mat was installed at the pavilion to provide access to the area and the other two have been made available in cooperation of the T.R.A.I.L.S. program and the Kachemak Bay Water Trails to be checked out and brought across Kachemak Bay to one of the campsites that have been made ADA compliant or used at special events at the pavilion. The grant provided for loads of special sized gravel that could be compacted to be wheel chair accessible and involved working with the City of Homer to create a gravel compacted trail that leads from the pavilion to the bathrooms - something that is not accessible at this time. The grant also paid for the paving of the pavilion which took place in late fall of 2018. Mobi-Mats were purchased in the spring of 2019 and were tested and made available for public use the summer of 2019. A local school built picnic tables, two of which are wheel chair accessible in the fall of 2018. Rotarians of the Homer Kachemak Bay club provided hands-on help to prep the pavilion for paving and with installation of the Mobi-mat at the pavilion. They also helped install the picnic benches. The project was delayed due to weather and construction schedules and so prep work was completed in the summer months of July – August, but paving did not happen until September. It was decided that we would wait until the following spring to order the Mobi-Mats so they could be available at the start of the summer recreation season. The Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club has woked closely with the City of Homer, the Chapman Elementary School, the TRAILS group, and the Kachemak Bay Water Trails which also helping to provide gravel, labor and materials for the picnic tables and the pavilion. This was a great opportunity for Rotarians to participate in a hands on project that is needed in the community and will benefit an underserved population. 2. How many people benefited from this project? 6,000 potential! 3. Who were the beneficiaries, how were they impacted by this project, and what humanitarian need was met? Beneficiaries of this project include all of the people who are residents of the Homer area or are visiting that have a disability or mobility issue that may prevent them from having access to recreational opportunities that improve their quality of life and health and well-being (Kenai Peninsula Borough has a population of 58,617 people, of which 10% are under the age of 65 and have a disability). This project provides an easily accessible pavilion at a very popular spot on the Homer Spit, next to the public fishing hole, public bathrooms and the Kachemak Bay Water Trail. The handicap accessible picnic tables allow for someone in a wheel chair to enjoy a family picnic and outing. The paving of the pavilion allows for wheelchairs and easy, level walking. The Mobi Mats are available to anyone to check out for free, are easy to transport and open up the beach and south side of Kachemak Bay for opportunities for people with disabilities to recreate. A major partner and user group is the TRAILS program operated by the Independent Living Center. TRAILS (Total Recreation And Independent Living Services) Programs are participant driven to empower individuals by sharing fun activities, promoting self-confidence, teaching independent living skills, and assisting participants to fully realize their capabilities through recreation. When folks with and without disabilities work and have fun together, they build satisfying connections and break down stigmas. TRAILS Participants explore new trails, encourage kayaking in Kachemak Bay, advocate for improving accessibility of local trails and recreational sites, teach awareness of disabilities in our schools, and promote fishing all over the Kenai Peninsula! 4. How many Rotarians participated in the project? 6 5. What did they do? Please give at least two examples, not including financial support provided to the project. Rotarians assisted with the planning and execution of the project. Rotarians networked and problem solved, held meetings and negotiated with partners and helped with spreading gravel, hauling tables, preparing the surface for paving and overseeing the paving project as well as testing the Mobi Mats, installing one of the Mobi Mats permanently at the pavilion site and all of the outreach and education about the facility and the Mobi Mats. 6. If a cooperating organization was involved, what was its role? The City of Homer provided support with personnel as well as funds to help with the project. The organizations listed below also helped with providing additional funds for the project as well as volunteer labor. $2,000 Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park Paving. * $500 Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society Paving * $465 Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park Glass. * $250 American Legion 7. Income
8. Expenditures
District must retain receipts of all expenditures for at least five years. Please scan and upload to the project's "Documents" tab all invoices (be sure they are marked "paid"), receipts and/or copies of checks for the full amount of the project budget. By signing this report, I confirm that to the best of my knowledge these District Grant funds were spent only for eligible items in accordance with Trustee-approved guidelines, and that all of the information contained herein is true and accurate. I also understand that all photographs submitted in connection with this report will become the property of RI and will not be returned. I warrant that I own all rights in the photographs, including copyright, and herby grant RI and TRF a royalty free irrevocable license to use the photographs now or at any time in the future, throughout the world in any manner it so chooses and in any medium now known or later developed. This includes the right to modify the photograph(s) as necessary in RI's sole discretion. This also includes, without limitation, use on or in the web site, magazines, brochures, pamphlets, exhibitions and any other promotional materials of RI and TRF.
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