Renovations have started at Lake Park Pavilion

A large renovation of the Lake Park Pavilion is being planned. The last time renovations were made to the pavilion was in 1995-96, and the HVAC system was installed about seven years ago.

According to Tammi Rogers, director of the park, when renovations were completed in 1995, the flooring was still original and was once again sanded and refinished.

“It was 103 years old, and it came to the point that it was down to nails and no more could be done,” she said. “The new maple flooring has been completed at a cost of $102,425. Funding was provided by Friends of the Park, The Coshocton Foundation, the Taylor Family Fund, Park District Permanent Improvement Funds and private donations.”

Rogers said other improvements will include new doors and siding, new shutters and gutters, restroom and kitchen updates, audio equipment, indoor and outdoor lighting, and patio work.

“We’re pretty much updating everything,” she said. “The rest of the improvements will be ongoing as we must raise dollars to continue projects. We are currently accepting cost estimates for the other associated projects.”

Several local businesses are sponsoring a dance Saturday, Feb. 21 featuring Phil Dirt and the Dozers. Ticket sales for the dance will go toward pavilion improvements.

“Two-hundred-fifty tickets were sold, and they sold out in eight hours and 10 minutes,” Rogers said.

Sherry Kirkpatrick, president of Friends of the Park, said they are very grateful to their sponsors including BPOE Elks 501(c)(3), Fred and Sharon Wachtel, Hahn Oil Inc., Erwin Family Eyecare, Frontier Power, Dean’s Jewelry, Hammontree & Associates, William Albert Inc., ADM Construction, McConnell Contracting, CES Credit Union, and Standard Power Nova.

“And we were truly surprised and grateful for a $5,000 anonymous donation,” Kirkpatrick said.

She said they are continuing to raise funds for the rest of the improvements.

“For the past four years, we have held the Friends of the Park Half Marathon, 10k and 5k. Powered by Coshocton Regional Medical Center and through generous race sponsorships and registration fees, our four-year profit has reached $52,500,” Kirkpatrick said.

Those funds have been used to upgrade the pavilion’s electrical system and kitchen, replacement of 250 picnic tables, replacement of all fire rings in the campground, removal of the log jam that forms each season at the aqueduct bridge, completion of pavement and path repairs, stocking the basin with fish every year, and aeration and treatment of Roscoe Basin.

Kirkpatrick shared several plans from the Friends of the Park.

“Slated for spring 2026, we have committed $40,000 to the resurfacing of the walk/bike path from the visitor’s center to the aqueduct bridge," Kirkpatrick said. "Our Fall Harvest Dance is already scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3 with Direct Energy to perform.

“The pavilion is vital to our community; its preservation allows us to host the events that unite us and drives economic development throughout our county. The Lake Park Pavilion is 103 years old, and Friends of the Park is passionate and dedicated to preserving it for another 100 years."

Donations of all amounts are appreciated. If you would like your donation to be used specifically for pavilion improvements, note that on your check. Donations can be given to any Friends of the Park member or sent to the Lake Park Office.