To commemorate the 100th year of the founding of Rotary, each club was asked to select a project that would be of benefit to their community and serve as a lasting remembrance of the efforts of the members of Rotary to be of service to their community and the world.
The Rotary Club of Aspen wanted to leave a memorial that would last through the years and be usable by everyone. Members of our club met with the City Parks Department and jointly selected a site adjacent to the new Aspen Recreation Center on Maroon Creek Road. The site overlooks Rotary Field - land that had been donated by the James E. Moore Family and cleared by members of the Rotary Club several years ago. At that time, a playing field was created in addition to several picnic areas along the bluff overlooking Maroon Creek.
The vision for the project was for a shelter that could be used by all community members for picnics and gatherings before, during and after outings at the adjoining recreation areas. The new pavilion is surrounded by several baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, the ARC, the batting cage and can even be used in the wintertime as it is close to the ever popular “Whoa-Nelly Hill” where people of all ages can enjoy sliding down the hill on sleds, discs, inner tubes, or even plastic bags.
Members of the Rotary Club of Aspen and the City Parks Department have been instrumental in bringing this dream to fulfillment.
A dedication ceremony took place on July 17, 2008 at 5:00 pm.