Who We Help - Local Community Projects

Local Community Impact

Sunrise Rotary’s service is visible all around Plattsburgh. Over the years, our club has contributed both materials and volunteer labor to projects that improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Highlights include:

Trivia Night at Buster’s raised $735 to support children’s literacy, providing books for local elementary schools. (8/28/25)

Building the Gazebo at the Riverwalk, the Healthy Lung Trail, and the Sunrise Rotary Pavilion at Wilcox Dock.

Raising more than $25,000 to create the universally accessible Max Moore Memorial Treehouse on the Saranac River Trail.

Supporting the Outside Art projects as part of downtown Plattsburgh’s revitalization.

Donating to the Red Cross for disaster relief following local flooding.

Funding the LaPierre Lane Park Boardwalk in Morrisonville — a universally accessible trail spur that opened to the public in 2018.

Have an idea for a project that Sunrise Rotary might support in the future? We’d love to hear from you. Contact our club at rotaryclub1982@gmail.com

Fill out the Donation Request Form HERE (preferred method)
Download the Request for Contributions - Guidelines HERE
Download the Request for Contribution Form HERE
Community Projects
Beach Accessibility Project
PLATTSBURGH SUNRISE ROTARY GIFTS PLATTSBURGH CITY
BEACH WITH BEACH ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS
June 29th 2023. The Sunrise Rotary Club of Plattsburgh is proud to
announce the gift of beach wheelchairs and accessibility mats to Plattsburgh City
Beach. These new additions will make it easier for people with disabilities, mobility
issues, seniors, and veterans to enjoy the beach and the surrounding area.
The beach wheelchairs are designed to be used on sand and in water. One, the Debug
Wheelchair, is equipped with large wheels that can roll over packed sand and other
obstacles. The chair has a steel frame and has a weight capacity of 350 pounds. The
other chair, the Hippocampe, is lower to the ground, can be self-propelled in packed
sand, and can float in the water for more active individuals.
The beach wheelchairs are available for public use free of charge during open beach
hours (Monday-Sunday 10AM-6PM). They can be taken out from the Lifeguard Station.
 
In addition to the beach wheelchairs, Sunrise Rotary donated beach mats that provide
a smooth surface over the sand for people with mobility issues. The mat is a 100%
recycled polyester roll and an industry leader in beach accessibility mats.

 
Read more...
OUTSIDE ART IN DOWNTOWN PLATTSBURGH
Posted by Joanne Dahlen on Sep 27, 2019
Sunrise Rotary continues to support the revitalization of Plattsburgh's historic downtown by supporting the on-going efforts of the Outside Art's mural projects. The club was a sponsor of the 18-by-10 foot interactive mural, "Read and Grow! Dream Garden" that was unveiled on the side of the Plattsburgh Public Library in the fall of 2017.
In the fall of 2019 a new mural was designed and sponsored by Sunrise Rotary that celebrates local actress Jean Arthur who was born and raised in Plattsburgh. The mural, located on the corner of Brinkerhoff and Marion Streets, was unveiled at public ceremony on October 9, 2019.
Sunrise Rotarians Libby Queguiner and Maxine Perry participated in the unveiling ceremonies.
MAX MOORE MEMORIAL TREE HOUSE
Posted by Joanne Dahlen on Oct 01, 2015
The Max Moore Memorial Tree House is built along the Saranac River Trail near the Plattsburgh Police Department headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY.
 
The tree house is named after local pediatrician Dr. Heidi Moore's late son Max, who utilized a wheelchair and would have loved to be able to play in a tree house if he had the chance. Today people of all ages and abilities enjoy this unique universally accessible facility along the scenic Saranac River.
 
 
Over several years Sunrise Rotary raised $25,000 to support the design and construction of the tree house. Sunrise Rotarians happily volunteer their time to keep the tree house and surrounding areas in pristine condition.
 
CAMP TAPAWINGO - HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE RAMP
 
In 2018-2019, Sunrise Rotary donated funds for more than 1/3 of the materials necessary for the building of a handicapped accessible ramp to the main camp area at Camp Tapawingo. Ted K. Center youth and many local Girl Scout troops have been recent users of this wonderful, storied property on Lake Champlain. Sunrise Rotarians also volunteered their time and tools to help with the actual building of the ramp.
 
Sunrise Rotary Contact: Victoria Duley
 
CHAMPLAIN PARK GAZEBO
Champlain Park is situated in the historic City of Plattsburgh on Cumberland Avenue. The park offers visitors lovely views of Lake Champlain and the mouth of the Saranac River.  The monument, erected in 1912, honors Samuel de Champlain who discovered the lake in 1609.
 
Champlain Park is a popular setting for special photo opportunities such as weddings, proms, family reunions, etc.
 
The Sunrise Rotary Club provided funds for the design and construction of the Champlain Gazebo that was erected in October 1993.
 
 
LAPIERRE LANE RIVERWAY

Opening in the summer of 2018, the LaPierre Lane Riverway located in Morrisonville, NY is the first spur completed on the Saranac River Greenway.  It has proved to be fun for the whole family featuring an adult exercise area, child adventure area, meditation circle, and a 1/4 mile trail around the perimeter.  The project was developed through a partnership between the New York Health Foundation, the Foundation of CVPH and local businesses and service organizations.

 

Sunrise Rotary provided funds to help build a universally accessible board walk that stretches through the wetlands in the center of the park and offers visitors a chance to learn more about the area's ecosystem.

 
 
WILCOX DOCK PAVILION
Posted by Joanne Dahlen on Sep 04, 2019
The Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary Club dedicated three years of fundraising efforts through its Mayor's Club Regatta celebration to create a legacy community project — a pavilion constructed at Wilcox Dock Park on Lake Champlain, Cumberland Avenue in the City of Plattsburgh. This project was dedicated on July 12, 2012.
 
Sunrise Rotary collaborated with the City of Plattsburgh and the NYS Canal Corporation to locate this community amenity on scenic Cumberland Bay on Lake Champlain. Sunrise Rotary shared the City and Canal Corporation's vision for improving family-friendly lake access at this beautiful spot, located right in the heart of the city. 
 
In 2019 the City of Plattsburgh announced that they will be building a marina at Wilcox Dock to cater to small boats. Opening in the summer of 2020 the Wilcox Marina will offer slips for 25 to 30 boats. The Sunrise Rotary Pavilion will certainly be a great asset to the new marina.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sunrise Rotarians are proud that they have contributed to providing the community with areas to appreciate and enjoy Lake Champlain and volunteer their time to clean the pavilion and the surrounding area.
Service Highlights