The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Rick Barbero

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November 20, 2008

Thornhill Courts fence hit again

By Jackie Ayres

Thornhill Courts, the new urban park located on Second Street, was struck by a vehicle Monday evening for the second time in two weeks.

According to Beckley Police Chief Tim Deems, a Chrysler Sebring went out of control during snowy road conditions as the driver turned off Woodlawn Avenue onto Second Street and struck the fence.

There were no injuries, but the park, which opened Oct. 31, will once again need to be repaired.

“Forty-eight hours after the dedication (of the new park), a woman drove through the fence and took out sections of it,” said Susan Landis, executive director of the Beckley Area Foundation.

According to Landis, the driver of the first accident did not have vehicle insurance.

“Out of the generosity of United Bank, the foundation received the funds to repair the fence the first time. We’re hoping the second (driver) has insurance which will cover the repairs,” she added.

Landis said the most recent accident happened in virtually the same place. This time the vehicle took out the same section of the fence, as well as a lamp post — which will not be quickly replaced.

“The repairs have been scheduled. However, it will take a while to replace the lamp post,” she said.

Prior to these two incidents, Landis said, there were no reported problems with people driving off the roads in the area.

“Once we finished this lovely public facility, we’ve had the misfortune of two vehicle accidents. At that point, you don’t know whether to cry or laugh about it,” she said.

“We think it’s probably a terrible coincidence, and we’re hopeful that it’s not going to happen again.

“Every day you drive through the area you see children playing ... people using the basketball courts, adults using the trail as a walking circuit and people sitting on the benches.”

Landis says contributions are still being sought to pay for picnic tables.

“We’re looking for disability-accessible and regular picnic benches. We also hope to get some recycling containers for paper and plastic bottles and regular trash containers.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com

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