Oglebay Park prepares for 90th anniversary
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WHEELING -- A grand celebration befitting the "crown jewel" of Wheeling's park system is planned this weekend to mark the 90th anniversary of Oglebay Park's inception.
To honor the event, many activities will take place Saturday and Sunday at the park. Rod Haley, senior vice president of Oglebay, said this weekend was chosen for the festivities because the city accepted the gift of the property from Cleveland industrialist Earl W. Oglebay's estate on July 28, 1928.
Upon his death in 1926, Oglebay willed his Waddington Farm property to the people of Wheeling "for public recreation." Two years later, city leaders accepted the property and established the Wheeling Park Commission to operate the newly-named Oglebay Park.
Since then, the park has grown considerably and developed resources related to recreation and relaxation. It draws visitors from the Ohio Valley and throughout the nation.
"This is such a remarkable park system we have here, and Oglebay is the crown jewel," said longtime employee John Hargleroad. "It's a remarkable institution around the state and across the country."
Hargleroad, director of Oglebay's National Training Center, said parks and recreation professionals and international festival groups hold training schools at Oglebay.
"It's kind of neat to have that impact globally in a park here in Wheeling," he said.
Oglebay Good Zoo is the only accredited zoo in the state, while two of four accredited museums in the state -- Oglebay Institute's Mansion and Glass museums -- are in the park, Hargleroad said.
"The Winter Festival of Lights has created a whole new season for us and created an economic impact for the city," he said.
Haley agreed.
"With the start of the Festival of Lights over 25 years ago, it's become more of a year-round destination," he said.
Haley began working at the park as a teenager. Now, 32 years later, he said he's seen a lot of "awesome" changes.
"In my time, we've added the Palmer golf course," he said. "We've added several cottages and upgraded several cottages. We've updated the hotel (Wilson Lodge) and added the spa. We are continuously changing to keep us relevant."
In recent years, Wilson Lodge's overnight accommodations have expanded from 123 rooms to 258 rooms, while the number of park cottages has grown from 23 to 53, Hargleroad said.
Recreational offerings have expanded to include a ropes course, trail system, Segway tours, skiing and snow tubing. Swimming, tennis, golf and horseback riding continue to be popular, while beautiful walking trails and gardens also appeal to nature lovers.
Saying the park maintains relationships with local universities and Oglebay Institute, Haley said he thinks Oglebay is "a park for the community.
"I love it (Oglebay Park) so much," he said. "I love Wheeling and I love seeing it keep changing and moving forward."
As for the park's benefactor, Haley said, "I would hope he (Oglebay) would be very proud of his phenomenal gift."
Over the years, Oglebay Park has enjoyed a family atmosphere, both for visitors and employees.
"We have guests who have been coming for 50-plus years," said Haley. "We have third generations holding family reunions. I was raised here at the park and I raised my kids here."
Hargleroad has served in various roles during his 45-year tenure at the park.
"I came to Wheeling (in 1973) because I recognized Oglebay was the premier municipal park operation," he said. "There is nothing like it anywhere else. It's a very unusual enterprise here. I'm very proud of the services we provide the community and what it's become.
"I am in awe of the founders of the Wheeling Park Commission," he said. "They were very farsighted individuals in creating the park commission."
Oglebay and its partners work together for Labor Day weekend celebrations and Oglebayfest, which was started in recognition of the park's 50th anniversary.
"I love that we are engaged with so many organizations," Hargleroad said. "We connect with and have long associations with so many community organizations."
In addition, he said Oglebay's Access to the Parks program provides free activities to children from low- to moderate-income families in the community. Free musical entertainment is offered to the public on select Sundays during the summer months.
"Oglebay could not exist without the generous support of various individuals in the region ... We are self-sustaining, and a lot of people don't realize what a challenge that is," Hargleroad said.
"Most city parks rely very heavily on tax support and, of course, we don't."
(Comins can be contacted at lcomins@theintelligencer.net)