Rotary Park opens in downtown Alton

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

A new park officially opened earlier this spring in the city of Alton. Alton Godfrey Rotary Park is located at Third and Easton Streets across from Alton City Hall and behind Building One Eleven, which is the former Millers Mutual building. Building One Eleven is fully occupied and home to numerous businesses along with the STEM wing of Marquette Catholic High School.

The Alton Godfrey Rotary Club helped spearhead the project with funding assistance from Giant City Properties which owns the building. Employees of Simmons Hanly Conroy held a company picnic back in May also inviting Alton City employees, rotary members and others to celebrate the park’s opening.

Rotary Club Member Andy Bowen says the park is to celebrate a milestone anniversary of the club.

“We were looking for an idea to celebrate our 100th anniversary and it was in the summer of 2019 we connected with Giant City Properties, who owns the 111 building, and came up with the idea of a new park. They were interested in partnering with someone to redo the space and we jumped at the chance to work with them.”

Todd Adamitis with Giant City Properties says the park is free for the community to use:

“We thought it would be nice to do some type of gathering space or park that the public could use, Marquette could use, a scout troop, a book club or maybe for a small wedding. It’s free to use by anyone in the community. We wanted this to be a place that would add to what is already being offered downtown, with a great view of the

river and later this summer of the fireworks.”

Alton Godfrey Rotary Club marked its 100th anniversary in March 2021 but the project was delayed a few years due to COVID. It was dedicated with a ribbon cutting on May 17. For more information on how to reserve the park for special events, call 618259-2222.

FREE FRIDAY NIGHT SUMMER CONCERTS AT ALTON GODFREY ROTARY PARK

Alton Main Street and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau along with presenting sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy are pleased to announce two summer concerts at the new Alton Godfrey Rotary Park, located across the street from Alton City Hall at 101 E. 3rd Street in Alton. Both concerts are free to attend and will be held from 7-9pm.

Funky Butt Brass Band will perform on Friday, July 14. The band was formed in 2008 by six talented musicians who respect and revere the New Orleans brass band tradition. The FBBB takes traditional New Orleans brass tunes and sprinkles in their own brand of special Saint Louis musical magic. At any given gig, you’ll also hear some Chicago blues, Memphis soul, Southern rock and St. Louis R&B.

Aaron Kamm & the One Drops will perform on Friday, August 18. Hailing from St. Louis, AKOD merges flavors of roots reggae and Mississippi River blues and infuses them with improv-laced jams, and soulful vocals. With their high-energy performance and unique sound, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops are a must-see as they tour their way across the country for concerts and festivals.

“We are grateful to Simmons Hanly Conroy for providing this opportunity that allows us to bring these great acts

to Alton, which we anticipate will draw a big crowd from across the river to experience everything that Alton has to offer,” said Sara McGibany, Executive Director of Alton Main Street.

Attendees are strongly advised to bring a blanket to spread on the lawn or a lawn chair to place on 3rd Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the event. Food & beverages will be available for purchase on-site, or attendees are encouraged to pick up a carry out meal from their favorite Downtown Alton dining establishment on their way to the concerts.

“Alton-Godfrey Rotary created this beautiful park to celebrate our club’s 100th anniversary, and we are so pleased to see the space utilized in this way to bring the community together for music overlooking the river,” said Antione Williams, President of Alton-Godfrey Rotary.

To get involved with the many ways that Alton Main Street volunteers are working to promote the district and improve the quality of life in our community, please contact McGibany, at sara@ altonmainstreet.org. For full details of the organization’s beautification projects, special events, networking activities, investment opportunities and more, please visit DowntownAlton. com. 3