A recreation area built more than 50 years ago near Pilger is getting new life, thanks to a donation that has brought a new pavilion to the property.
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District will celebrate the addition to the Pilger Recreation Area with a ribbon cutting and recognition ceremony at noon Thursday, Oct. 1, at 84153 575 Ave., Pilger. The ceremony will recognize Len Dickinson and Jule Goeller for donating the resources needed for the pavilion.
The 24-by-36-foot pavilion was made possible through an agreement between the Lower Elkhorn NRD and the owners of Sand Creek Post & Beam Inc., doing business as Timberlyne.
Lower Elkhorn NRD directors unanimously approved the agreement at their Oct. 23, 2025, meeting. Under the agreement, 100% of the materials and resources needed to construct the pavilion were donated.
The pavilion uses the postand- beam construction style that is a specialty of Timberlyne. The Lower Elkhorn NRD will be responsible for insurance and maintenance of the structure.
The project grew from conversations between a Timberlyne representative and a member of the Pilger community and could be only the beginning of improvements at the recreation area. The NRD has identified the pavilion as the first of several possible projects at the property.
The Pilger Recreation Area itself has been part of the community for more than half a century. It was originally constructed to help protect the watershed from flooding.
Although many of the amenities that once existed there have been removed over the years, the property remains open for hiking, walking and other outdoor recreation. It also includes an archery range and 3-D archery course.
The new pavilion adds another reason for people to use the property while beginning a new chapter for a recreation area that has served the Pilger community for decades.
