In early 2003, driven
by an initiative from Rotary International that each
of its local Rotary Clubs develop a project to
commemorate Rotary International’s Centennial year
(2005), the two Rotary Clubs in the Mequon and
Thiensville communities agreed to work jointly to
select and pursue a centennial project supported by
both clubs.
Shortly after forming
this joint initiative, the two Rotary clubs
identified several projects which were proposed,
investigated and evaluated. The result of this work
was that the two clubs identified the Riverwalk as
their Centennial Project, presented their proposal
to the Mequon-Thiensville Town Center Committee, and
received the support of the City of Mequon and
Village of Thiensville.
The Rotary Riverwalk
project was born from a community need articulated
at public meetings convened by the Village of
Thiensville and the City of Mequon to create a
vision for a Town Center. The Town Center design
encompasses parts of both communities and seeks to
improve the quality of life and aesthetics while
strengthening the local tax base. The Town Center
project begins at the North at the Village limits
(Concord Place) and ends just south of Mequon Road
(a state highway) to the South and includes the
Riverwalk.
In 2003 Rotary
International encouraged local Rotary Clubs to
initiate centennial service projects. The two Rotary
Clubs in Mequon and Thiensville were already known
for accomplishing great feats - having spearheaded
and gifted Rotary Park to the City of Mequon in
1989, a million dollar project. This magnificent
park is home to Gathering on the Green, provides
accessible trails, and contains many other features
that make it a significant asset to the community.
In 2003, the two Rotary Clubs stepped forward to
adopt the Town Center Riverwalk as their Joint
Centennial Project. The size, scope, impact and
visibility of the project appealed to our Rotary
club members, just as the development of the Rotary
Park had in Mequon a number of years earlier. Their
demonstrated leadership and proven “can do” momentum
will enhance the ultimate completion of the
Riverwalk, our drawing board dream.
In 2004, Rotary
completed the first segment of the six-segment
Rotary Riverwalk: the Village Park Segment. This
first part of the planned mile-long Rotary Riverwalk
along the Milwaukee River is 560 linear feet, 20’
wide, built on the Millrace berm owned by the
Village of Thiensville. The Village Park Segment has
quickly become a beloved feature of the two
communities, and serves to symbolize and validate
the goals of the Town Center: create gathering
places, inspire small town renaissance, and provide
long-term economic benefit to the two communities.
In 2005 and 2006,
additional planning and cooperation between the
Rotary Club of Thiensville-Mequon, the Rotary Club
of Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise, the City of Mequon,
and the Village of Thiensville resulted in the
completion of the Master Plan for the Rotary
Riverwalk.
Now, the major focus has shifted from
the planning stages of this project to the fund
raising and implementation stages, with the current
emphasis on the Library segment of the Master Plan.
