Silver Lake Nature Center Opens New Pavilion

July 31, 2025

Silver Lake Nature Center officially opened its new picnic pavilion last week.

The pavilion is now available for public use when not occupied by the Silver Lake Nature Center Summer Camp and will soon be available for rent for special occasions.

Officials said the pavilion provides a permanent structure for visitors and the growing center’s annual summer camp.

The need for a second pavilion became apparent as the nature center’s summer camp has expanded significantly in recent years.

For the past few years, Bucks County provided a festival tent for the camp, but a permanent structure was sought to accommodate the increased demand.

The project, which cost $39,224.79, was made possible by many contributors.

The Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center in in Bristol Borough and Bristol Township, a nonprofit organization that supports the nature center, spearheaded fundraising efforts through annual appeals, basket fundraisers, local restaurant events, and individual donations, collecting $34,725.

The nature center thanked Visit Bucks County, the county’s general services staff, donors, DiCenso Landscaping, and Tim Hufnell of the Bristol Photographers Club.

The Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center incurred $4,499.79 in additional costs for the project, covering engineering fees, permits and construction.

Donations to help offset this remaining cost can be made at silverlakenaturecenter.org/donate/, with a note indicating the contribution is for the new pavilion.

Since 1979, the Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center has supported environmental education in conjunction with the Bucks County Parks and Recreation Department, which owns the park at Silver Lake Nature Center.

The nonprofit currently funds three full-time staff, eight summer/seasonal staff, internships and per diem educators who assist with field trips, scout programs, birthday parties and other group programs.

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