COURT CHANGES – Another recently announced enhancement project for Marland Heights Park is the renovation of the park’s tennis court, to include new painting and fencing and the establishment of permanent pickleball courts. The project is being funded through a $50,000 contribution from the Weirton Rotary Club. -- Contributed

WEIRTON — The first phase of improvements to Marland Heights Park is nearing completion, according to officials with the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation.

Following the recent construction and opening of a new restroom facility, Parks Director Coty Shingle said the final major project of the phase will be for the repairs or replacement of roofs to the shelters at the park.

“That’s going to happen pretty quickly,” Shingle said, noting proposals have been received.

Some work also is still needed to complete the installation of new sidewalks, with the goal of eventually leading the pathways fully into the back of the park and improving access.

“The intention was to create a governor’s drive, so the police can get in,” Shingle said, noting long-held plans to have more in-depth patrols of the park by the Weirton Police Department following years of complaints of vandalism and other issues by people at the park after hours.

New lighting already has been installed, as has expanded water and electrical services to make sure those utilities are available for future improvements.

Another recently developed project is the development of permanent pickleball courts at the park, which will utilize a portion of the existing tennis courts. Designed by the Weirton Pickleball Association, the courts soon will feature one tennis court and four pickleball courts, as well as new fencing.

Funding for the project is being provided, in part, through a $50,000 contribution by the Weirton Rotary Club.

Some beautification and landscaping work also is planned, though Shingle explained he has been discussing some ideas with resident Karen Gould, who may have an interest in leading those efforts.

Board Chair Iris Himmelrick offered praise for the work, in particular the new lighting as it helps to provide more visibility of the park in the evening hours.

“That’s a big improvement,” Himmelrick said.

While the projects are close to wrapping up, they are smaller in scale to what was originally planned.

“We had a much grander plan when we agreed to it in October 2023,” Shingle said.

Originally, the Park Board had proposed a three-phase improvement plan for Marland Heights Park, to include a new, all-season shelter, in addition to the lighting and infrastructure upgrades, upgrades to shelters, a new basketball court, development of a splash zone, rehabilitation of the mini golf course, improved storage and development of a dog park.

Many of the Phase 1 plans were scaled down because of a lack of available funding, according to Shingle.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Brittany Holloway asked about updates to the playground, with Shingle saying, that too, will depend on funding availability.