Community Corner

Towaco Gazebo a Project 6 Years in the Making

Civic association to cut ribbon on gathering place for community to enjoy.

The Towaco Civic Association (TCA) will celebrate the completion of a project that dozens of people and businesses throughout the community have had a hand in for the past six years when volunteers and local officials cut the ribbon on the Camp Dawson gazebo on Oct. 21.

The gazebo project began in 2006, shortly after the TCA was formed, according to TCA President Christina Renfer.

"This was a dream of mine since we started the TCA," Renfer said.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The group began fundraising to build a gazebo that families could sit in for lunch or to talk. By the end of the project, the total cost of the gazebo and its surrounding features will amount to more than $20,000.

The TCA raises money for park restoration and beautification projects in Towaco and to sponsor the annual music festival at the Towaco train station. The most recent fundraiser, held Sept. 29 at the Barn Theatre, helped the TCA raise enough money to put the finishing touches on the gazebo project, including adding extra bricks to extend a path, TCA Vice President Kim Bott, chairwoman of the gazebo project committee, said. The TCA also sold the naming on the bricks.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Just the people who bought the bricks alone, it's over 80 bricks," Renfer said.

Bott said there have been some challenges throughout the process of constructing the gazebo, particularly two years ago, when the group was trying to raise money for the project. The size of the gazebo was decreased from 20 x 40 feet to 16 x 24 feet to accommodate a lower cost.

"With the economy the way it was, for us to start fundraising, selling bricks, it was difficult. It took a long time," Bott said.

But the organization was not only able to garner the financial support needed to move forward, but support in the form of labor for the project as well. Recently, a local Eagle Scout and his friends helped design and implement landscaping at the gazebo.

"Having the Boy Scouts help out was really wonderful," Bott said.

The township also helped by purchasing tables for inside the gazebo, according to Bott, and a grill for picnics. Several businesses donated items to the project as well.

While the size of the gazebo itself was decreased, Bott said other elements of the project were made bigger after more money was raised. Initially, only one patio was expected to be included but two were completed. The gazebo also has a specialized two-tier roof that allows sunlight to come inside.

Bott and other TCA members have been busy planning the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. Renfer said several local elected officials and Morris County officials are expected to attend. Even after the ribbon-cutting, Bott said more beautification work is expected for buildings surrounding the gazebo.

"I think we're very fortunate to be able to get it done," Bott said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here