Craig Howell GOING GREEN – Area residents took part in a variety of activities, offered by the Brooke-Hancock Family Resource Network, Saturday, during an Earth Day event held at Marland Heights Park. The event was organized by the City of Weirton, with support from the FRN, FirstEnergy, and other community sponsors.

WEIRTON – City officials, with support from others in the community, provided an opportunity for area residents to put some more green into their neighborhoods Saturday.

The City of Weirton, with support from FirstEnergy, the Brooke-Hancock Family Resource Network, and others, hosted an Earth Day observance at Marland Heights Park, featuring a distribution of tree saplings and a variety of activities for all ages.

“This is three years of partnering with FirstEnergy,” noted Weirton Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam, who explained the event helps to emphasize the importance of caring for the community and the environment.

Through FirstEnergy’s Mon Power Green Team, residents were able to obtain a free tree sapling, with species including cranberry viburnum, eastern redbud, pin oak, tulip poplar and white oak.

Rita Hawkins, resource and training specialist for the Brooke-Hancock FRN explained representatives of several of the organization’s programs – including Teen Court, Parents as Teachers and more – were on hand to help with several activities, including a nature-inspired scavenger hunt.

“It’s to get people to go around and look at nature,” she said, explaining while attendees were not required to finish the hunt, there would be chances for prizes.

There also were stations for face painting, an area where visitors could make their own trail mix, color pages, make their own chia creation, and more.

In addition, the WVU Extension Service from Hancock County was on hand, offering kits to make hummingbird feeders and showcasing a smoothie bike which uses a blender powered by an individual pedaling a stationary bicycle.

This was the second year the city has organized such an event, which was inspired by the MonPower Green Team’s distribution of saplings for community planting in 2024 and again in 2025.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to bring the community together,” Ward 5 Councilwoman Brittany Holloway said, noting the setting of Marland Heights Park provided a perfect location for residents to be surrounded by nature. “We appreciate everyone involved in putting this together.”

Additional support for the event was provided by Busy Beaver, Ward 6 Councilman Anthony Rocchio, and Iannetti’s Garden Center.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)