Medina Sunrise Rotary Club held its annual installation of officers and awards' ceremony, honoring club president Dr. Shail Jain, at Mugrage Park, whose inclusive children's playground was a special Rotary Club project.

Dr. Shail Jain welcomed our many guests and community partners including: Rotary District Governor Beverly Ghent-Strzynski; Vice Governor Dr. MIke Davanzo; Past District Governor Jack Young; Assistant District Governor Kevin Wermer; Sergeant 1st Class Steve Callahan from the Army National Guard; Chief Kevin Haneberg from the U.S. Navy; David, Beth and Megan Vogelgesang - Youth Exchange; John & Clara Watkins - Youth Exchange; Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty - Medina Creative Housing; Anna Guy-Leach - Children's Center; Sandy Hinkle - Feeding Medina County; Ashley Kulhanek - OSU Extension Office; and Melanie Kasten-Krause - SHC Camp Paradise.

Shail thanked Rotarians and Community Partners for their unflagging support and commitment to service, and recognized her Board of Directors, officers, and committee chairs with personalized awards for their service to the club and to the community. This year's prestigious Service Above Self  McClintock Award went to Dennis Powers, acting secretary and Community Service Chair. Dr. Reid Miller, District Chaplain, was recognized for 44 years of perfect attendance. And the President's Ray Award went the ESC of Medina County Superintendent Will Koran who spearheaded the club's literacy and Rotary Foundation programs along with his leadership with "Wine & Rises", the annual fundraiser.

 

Mugrage Park was established when Richard and Beverly Mugrage generously entered into an agreement to donate their 100 acre property to the park district, The park includes two parking lots, a one-mile paved multi-purpose trail, a one-mile gravel trail, a three-acre fishing pond, an accessible fishing pier, a picnic shelter, picnic tables, a dog park, and an inclusive playground. The inclusive playground is for children of all abilities to safely access and enjoy.  There are double-sized ramps for wheelchair users and a poured-in-place rubber safety surface that protects children from falls and also provides easy wheelchair access throughout the playground. We are grateful to Medina Sunrise Rotary, the Friends of Medina County Parks, Inc., and many individuals and organizations which raised over $250,000 to fund this beautiful playground.