Lions Beach Pavilion to be dedicated

Public invited to a family-friendly celebration, encouraged to bring beach toys to donate

The Janesville Lions Club will officially dedicate the new picnic pavilion at Lions Beach on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 during a public event and short ceremony at the beach, located at 1401 Palmer Drive in Janesville

The pavilion is a gift to the community from the Lions in commemoration of the club’s 100th anniversary, which occurred in May 2022. The pavilion is a 30-foot by 30-foot hexagon and is large enough to accompany small- and medium-size groups. It features LED lighting and electrical access (available only when reserved and rented via the City of Janesville). Additional features include a concrete base and an ADA-compliant sidewalk that connects to the beach area and street.

This pavilion is our club’s way of giving back to the Janesville community that has supported us for more than 100 years.

Not only does it add a much-needed gathering place at Lions Beach for all beachgoers to use, it also is available for families, groups, and companies to reserve for their parties and events. It will serve as a centerpiece of the park for decades to come.

Steve Huth, project co-chair

The May 23 dedication event will be held rain or shine, and is being planned in conjunction with the city’s Recreation Division. It will be the public’s first official chance to use the pavilion, and learn more about the various improvements that the Janesville Lions Club has contributed to over the past few years. Club members will be on hand to answer questions. Project donors have been invited to attend so that they can be recognized for their contributions.

The first 50 people in attendance will receive a limited-edition Lions Club-themed beach ball, just in time for summer fun. Families are encouraged to attend, enjoy complimentary ice cream treats, and participate in a sand castle contest. JD’s Lunch Box & Hot Dog Stand will be at the beach, offering food and beverages for purchase.

The event also is being used to establish a supply of beach toys for Lions Beach. The city’s Recreation Division will be accepting donations of pails, shovels, castle molds, and swim noodles. All donated items will be available to all beachgoers to use this summer.

About the pavilion project

The pavilion and related facility improvements are the result of a capital campaign during 2021 and 2022 to raise money for the project. To date, more than $150,000 has been raised, with the club and its members contributing more than $40,000 to the total. The remaining funds were raised from private donors and public and private grants.

During the campaign, the club secured donations from a number of prominent local residents and foundations, including the Janesville Foundation; the Hendricks Family Foundation; the Janesville Generations Fund; the Donald and Vivian Huth Trust; the Gregg & Helen Dickinson Fund; the Kennedy Family Foundation/Rock Road Companies; and the JP Cullen Foundation. In addition, Lycon pledged an in-kind donation of concrete for the picnic pavilion and ADA-compliant sidewalk.

Through its Pay It Forward program, the club applied for and received a $59,327 grant from the City of Janesville to help fund the purchase of the picnic pavilion, the project’s centerpiece. The City Parks Department has committed to the ongoing maintenance of the pavilion and related amenities as part of its regular and ongoing operations.

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