Work day set for Saturday at Beatty Park

STEUBENVILLE -- Work days continue to be held at Beatty Park in Steubenville's South End with the next one scheduled for Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.

All volunteers are welcome to meet at the site of the old (original) pool, according to Flora VerStraten-Merrin, organizer of the Friends of Beatty Park revitalizing group.

"We will continue to clean up wood and the old bleacher area," she explained. "You will need a shovel -- flat and/or spade -- and any tools that will cut small vines and limbs and seedlings growing into the fence area on the bleachers. Dress in warm layers and work boots and/or shoes," VerStraten-Merrin said.

"We will have more work days in February and March and all year," she continued. "Our goal is to get the old pool area all cleaned up. Two trail heads meet on each side of the old pool area so it is important to get the weeds, old wood and cement and rocks cleaned up before everything begins to grow in the spring," she continued.

"We will be managing the invasive growth and have a plan to plant grass and native plants in the area. It would be wonderful to see this area converted into a picnic and rest area going up or down the two trails that are nearby. Once the old pool area is completed, we will be moving to the orange/Old Street Car and yellow/Jabby Young Trails to continue to improve the trails and manage the water," she added.

Cleanup dates, events and activities will be posted on the "Friends of Beatty Park" Facebook book group.

Events and activities are free and open to the public; however, some of the events will be fundraisers, and donations are appreciated, according to VerStraten-Merrin.

The calendar of events and activities being planned at Beatty Park includes:

– Feb. 13, noon: Winter Nature Lover's Hike. Participants are to meet at the playground.

"We will take two hikes, which will include staircases and steep inclines. At the end of the hike we will meet at the old stone lodge for refreshments in a seated and heated area," she said.

– April 17, 10 a.m. Spring Flower Walk; noon, "A Flora and Fauna Hike," wildflowers.

– May 29, noon: Community and volunteer picnic

– July 17, 10 a.m.: "Walk the Creek Hike," to enjoy summer wildflowers and "walk in the creek. Children love this hike," VerStraten-Merrin said.

– Sept. 25: Historical walking tours.

– Dec. 18: Holiday hike.