New Shamrock Park Pavilion Is Now Complete

BEL AIR, MD — There is a new pavilion now open at Shamrock Park. The Bel Air Lions Club partnered with the town of Bel Air to make the amenity a reality, and it is one of several improvements planned for the space.

The Bel Air Lions developed the pavilion as a way to celebrate the organization's 75th anniversary and the Lions International's centennial, organizers said. The civic group has 40 members in Bel Air and contributes to various community activities, such as the Bel Air Festival for the Arts, Fourth of July celebration, Rockfield Manor and others.

To celebrate the organization's 100th anniversary, the Lions International has encouraged each of its groups to undertake an initiative called the "Centennial Legacy Project" that makes a visible impact on a community, such as adding a park bench, donating a vehicle or expanding a library.

The pavilion near the Shamrock Park playground was deemed the Bel Air Lions' "Centennial Legacy Project."

The Lions Club of Bel Air and Lions International Centennial donated $22,000 to build the Shamrock Park pavilion with paver floor and picnic table.

"Thanks to interviews with people who bring children to the play area, planners had a clear idea of what renovations were most important to park visitors," Bel Air town officials said in The Bond.

The interviews revealed that guardians wanted to embrace and maintain the small-town feel of the playground, and they advocated for a shelter as well as drainage.

The Lions spearheaded the pavilion effort and were assisted by Bel Air Director of Planning Kevin Small in bringing it to fruition.

Additional plans include enhancing drainage so mud does not build up after rain, repairing the lion's head drinking fountain, increasing accessibility for those with disabilities and improving the play surfaces at the playground, among other updates.

Work on the pavilion was completed by the end of March.

"Now we need warm weather for families to use it," officials said.

The Bel Air Lions Club, Bel Air Downtown Alliance and town of Bel Air will hold a ribbon cutting for the new pavilion on June 15.

Photo courtesy of the Bel Air Lions Club.