Garman Bequest Funds New Rubber Mulch for City Park

October 27th, 2022 | 3:11 pm
Posted in Parks and Recreation, Press Release

Delivery was taken of 48,000 pounds of rubber mulch at City Park today. This is the first of two shipments of mulch, for a total of 96,000 pounds, that will be installed in all of City Park’s playground and swing-set areas for increased safety and added visual appeal. The purchase of this mulch, at a cost of $22,672, was funded through a bequest in the will of Donald Garmer.

The bequest funds are restricted by the terms of Mr. Garmer’s will for use in City Park, but the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission has already authorized the purchase of additional rubber mulch for all playgrounds throughout the Elkins park system using ARPA funds. The mulch for the other playgrounds will be ordered after installation of the City Park mulch, so that EPRC officials can verify the accuracy of their estimates concerning the needed amounts.

After the second shipment of mulch for City Park arrives, and before installation can begin, the site must be prepared. A contractor will use heavy equipment to remove the old mulch and dig out the areas to a uniform depth. Excavation using hand tools will be necessary close to play equipment and swing sets. Landscaping fabric must also be put in place before the mulch can be added.

EPRC has already committed Garmer bequest funds for replacement of all exterior lighting in City Park, installation of tamper-proof covers on exterior breaker boxes and control panels, sign replacement, resealing the basketball court, resealing the old tennis court and lining it for pickleball and cornhole, and repairing a broken beam on the large pavilion. Possible future projects, the viability of which will depend on the cost and availability of materials, include replacement and repair of playground equipment (including new accessibility swings), pavilion roof replacements, extensive building repairs, security cameras, purchase of tools, upgrades to restroom fixtures, accessible playground structures, an ADA-accessible water fountain with dog bowl, and more.

The City of Elkins Street Department assisted in moving today’s shipment of 24 1-ton bundles of mulch from a staging area provided by the U.S. Forest Service on the grounds of the Monongahela National Forest Headquarters.

New Glendale Pollinator Garden Interpretive Sign

September 10th, 2021 | 1:04 pm
Posted in Parks and Recreation, tree board

If you’re out and about this weekend, why not check out the new Pollinator Garden (with interpretive sign) on the Toumayan Trail (the walking trail that circles Glendale Park)?

The creation of the Glendale Pollinator Garden project was an AFNHA collaborative effort led by recent AmeriCorps member Dayla Woller.

Other key players included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which assisted in site preparation; the WVU Extension Service, which provided the necessary biochar ); Elkins Parks and Recreation, which provided the site and installed the interpretive sign; and the Elkins Tree Board, which assisted in sign design. This new garden adds more environmental interpretation to the trail, which features several additional interpretive signs and outdoor rock spaces.

It’s on the section of trail closest to the playground. Bring the kids!

Summer Time = Parks Time!

June 11th, 2021 | 3:08 pm
Posted in Parks, Parks and Recreation

Summer is here, and the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission wants everyone to know that the city’s parks are open for business fun!

The Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission (EPRC) operates five parks, which together comprise 70 acres: Bluegrass Park, Davis Street Park, Elkins City Park, Glendale Park, and River Bend Park. This extensive park system is available for picnics, walks, fishing, organized athletics, or just a little peace and quiet. Davis Street Park, Elkins City Park, Glendale Park and River Bend Park all feature children’s play equipment. Glendale Park and River Bend Park have soccer fields, Glendale has a football field, and River Bend has a baseball diamond and two sand volleyball courts. Bluegrass also has a baseball diamond. There is a loop walking trail joining Glendale and River Bend Parks. Glendale, River Bend, and City Park also feature pavilions, which are available for rental. Learn more on this page.

EPRC is also excited to announce the recent hiring of the city’s first youth development coordinator. Owen Peet, a recent Davis & Elkins College graduate, will be leading youth programming in the city’s park system. One of his first big tasks will be running EPRC’s free summer day camp in Elkins City Park for children in grades K-5 (i.e., rising sixth grader this summer). Camp runs June 14-July 30, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Lunch is provided. There is no preregistration; children are registered on the first day they attend and then must be signed in and out by a parent or other authorized adult. In inclement weather, activities may shift to the Phil Gainer Community Center for the day (no transportation provided; parents must drop children off and pick them up at PGCC).

A few things to keep in mind:

Restrooms are available at all city parks except Davis Street and Bluegrass. However, at River Bend, portable toilets are temporarily in use because of a sewage-pump failure. They’re working on it!

Glendale is looking better and better with some recent tree plantings and the ongoing installation of boulders donated by the J.F. Allen company. Soon, there will also be a Pollinator Garden near the playground.

EPRC does not run any organized sports activities. However, we are fortunate to have several active leagues:

• Bengals Youth Football (practices at Glendale Park)
• Elkins Little League (practices at River Bend Park)
• Elkins Babe Ruth League (practices at Bluegrass Park)
• Seneca Soccer (practices at Glendale Park and River Bend Park)
• Summer Sand Volleyball League (plays at River Bend Park)

Enjoy your summer–and your parks!

Reopening Update for City Parks and Rec Facilities

May 28th, 2020 | 10:37 am
Posted in COVID-19, Parks, Parks and Recreation

No announced date for reopening Phil Gainer Recreation Center and Riverbend Park

Elkins, W. Va., May 27, 2020: At a meeting last week, the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission announced reopening steps being taken at city parks and recreation facilities. As reopening proceeds, the commission advises all park users to observe recommended precautions for reducing COVID-19 risk, including distancing from other people, frequent handwashing or sanitization, and the use of masks where distancing may not be practicable.

Playgrounds at city parks are now reopened. Use of playgrounds is at patrons’ own risk. The use of pavilions is discouraged but not prohibited; no reservations are being accepted.

The 2020 summer day camp program has been cancelled.

There is not yet an announced date for reopening either the Phil Gainer Community Center or Riverbend Park.

Please visit www.cityofelkinswv.com/coronavirus for more information about these updates (including copies of relevant orders and guidelines), as well as an overview of COVID-19 response in Elkins and West Virginia.

Riverbend Park Closed to the Public Until Further Notice

April 3rd, 2020 | 5:38 pm
Posted in Announcements, COVID-19, Parks and Recreation

Elkins W. Va., April 3, 2020: Riverbend Park in Elkins will be closed to the public until further notice, City of Elkins and Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission officials announced today. The reason is the park’s proximity to the city’s wastewater treatment plant amid concerns related to transmission of COVID-19. (more…)