A joint initiative of Rotary clubs from Eastern Slovakia has brought new life to the Betliar Manor Park. By planting four tulip trees, Rotarians not only contributed to the restoration of the park damaged by a calamity but also symbolically celebrated important Rotary anniversaries.

At the initiative of the Rotary Club Rožňava, a joint project of 10 Rotary clubs from Eastern Slovakia was launched – to contribute to the restoration of the park at Betliar Manor.

The park area was severely affected by a calamity in 2013, when, in addition to park facilities, small structures, water canals, and a stream, several hundred trees were destroyed. The Slovak National Museum – Betliar Museum has been gradually restoring the greenery with its own resources as well as with donations from individuals and organizations.

In 2024, at a joint meeting of Rotary clubs from Eastern Slovakia, President of RC Rožňava, Gabriel Vjeszt, proposed that the clubs join forces and contribute together to the park’s renewal by planting new trees. The proposal was unanimously approved.

In cooperation with the park specialist of the SNM Betliar Museum, Ing. Brigita Nagyová, the suitable tree species – the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) – and the planting site were determined. The delivery of four trees and their professional planting, including stabilization, was carried out in the spring of this year by a specialized gardening company from Betliar.

The value of the Rotary donation for the four trees – including delivery and planting – for the SNM Betliar Museum amounts to €852.52.

On June 28, 2025, members and friends – representatives of RC Rožňava, RC Košice, RC Košice Classic, RC Košice Country, RC Spišská Nová Ves, and RC Poprad – gathered in the Betliar park at the site of the planted trees, where they jointly placed dedication plaques during a small ceremony.

They also commemorated important Rotary anniversaries – 120 years of Rotary worldwide, 100 years of Rotary in Czechoslovakia, and 20 years since the founding meeting of the Rotary Club Rožňava.

07/2025
Rotary Club Rožňava
Gabriel Vjeszt, Club President 2024/25