A Short History

In 1962 a parcel of land belonging to the Carpinteria Unified School District and declared surplus was purchased by the Carpinteria Lions Club (CLC) for a community park. Tables, benches, a barbeque pit, lights, and sanitary facilities were installed as the first phase of the plan for the park. CLC members volunteered labor and equipment. Later a large play area was constructed, including special play ground equipment suitable for children of pre-school age. Buildings that existed on the land were remodeled, repainted and additional equipment provided for both Boys and Girls Scout Troops who used them. Later, smaller, more intimate picnic sites were added for individual family use. The park became the most appreciated and utilized recreational area in the community, second only to the state beach park. The property become known as Lions Park, an open space and natural recreational area for the public’s use. 

In early plans for the Lions Park, it was envisioned that a facility would be constructed that could be used by the public for meetings, worship services, and other gatherings. There was no such community facility in the Carpinteria Valley (and today, with the exception of the cedar lodge community building at Lions Park, there continues to be no such community facility in the Carpinteria Valley). In 1990, the Carpinteria Lion’s Community Building Association (CLCBA) was formed to erect and maintain a community center building on Lions Park, open to the public for a nominal fee to cover the costs of maintaining the building. In 1991 the CLCBA received from the Franchise Tax Board and Internal Revenue Service determinations that its proposed activity to build and maintain a community center building for the area was a charitable activity resulting in CLCBA designated as a 23701d and 501(c)(3) organization. Thereafter, CLCBA sought tax-deductible contributions for the building project. In 1994, having completed the fundraising portion of the project, CLCBA undertook the construction of the community center building, which became known as the lodge. The lodge was constructed with volunteer unpaid labor provided by members of the Lions Club of Carpinteria. 

Since its construction, the lodge has been used by the public, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations for many purposes, including, meetings, educational seminars, weddings, religious services, nonprofit activities, and emergency relief and shelter. The lodge is a perfect complement to the outdoor recreational setting at Lions Park.

Present day: CLCBA and CLC, working hand in hand, are providing a beautiful community building and outdoor recreational area for the use of residents and visitors of Carpinteria Valley. The members of CLC give, without charge, their time, talent, energy and devotion to the park and the lodge for the benefit of the public.