Illinois River Watershed to celebrate opening of North Shore Pavilion

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership will hold a dedication event for the newly completed North Shore Pavilion that is connected to the Razorback Greenway. The event will take place  from 2 to 4 p.m., April 17 at the Illinois River Watershed Sanctuary, 221 S. Main Street in Cave Springs.

Guests are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs for relaxation by the lake. There will be live music, refreshments, fishing, paddle-boarding and nature trail hiking. Guests are invited to take part in a bicycle ride along the catalyst bike trail that will connect the sanctuary with the Razorback Greenway. Bike caravans will be gathering at the Lake Springdale Trail Head and the Mercy Trail Head in Rogers at 1 p.m. to ride to North Shore Pavilion event.

The North Shore Pavilion was made possible by a grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the new 2,500-square-foot pavilion has a concession area, picnic tables and restrooms and will be open for student field trips and public events at the watershed sanctuary. The pavilion features sculptures by Bentonville artist Becky Christenson recognizing the watershed sanctuary as home to the largest U.S. population of Ozark Cavefish.

In 2015, more than 4,600 people visited the watershed sanctuary and Watershed Learning Center to take part in outdoor education, conservation projects, public meetings and family activities.

For more information contact Dr. Delia Haak, executive director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, at [email protected] or (479) 238-4671.