By Tina Alvey
After years of neglect, the Western Greenbrier Youth Park will open to the public at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Meadow River Watershed Association tackled the task of cleaning up the park, an 8 1/2-acre swath of green bordering U.S. 60 near Rainelle.
MRWA founder Matt Ford said, “The park had been neglected for five or six years.
“The grass had grown up, and worst of all, the park had about 2 acres of standing water in it due to sinkholes and drainage problems.”
The MRWA obtained a state/county grant to grade the land to allow for proper drainage and install culverts to channel the water as it collects.
“We’re still working on some things, but the safety issues have been addressed,” Ford noted.
A walking trail and boat launch are on the drawing board, but the most pressing need is for repairs to the park’s restroom facilities.
Pipes that froze in winter must be replaced.
Volunteers with the MRWA also hope to secure additional playground equipment for the park, which boasts 11 shelters with picnic tables for family outings.
“I’ve been told this park dates to 1907,” Ford said.
“Several generations of local people remember having family picnics there.”
An environmental scientist, Ford said he initially formed the MRWA around the park project. It has served as quite a magnet for volunteers; the MRWA’s current membership is 42.
A final clean-up of the park is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, just before the official opening. The MRWA will also conduct a hot dog and bake sale from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com
