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Investment takes time, cooperation

The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation unveiled the first look at a proposal for renovations and investments in Marland Heights Park as part of the board’s meeting Thursday.

There is a lot to take in from this first design, and, as was noted Thursday, there are going to be changes made as this process moves forward.

Weirton’s parks are long overdue in major investment. The Park Board has, over the years, looked into various projects, but, as with many things, money always was an issue. Investment is happening, though. It won’t be an overnight thing, and, I’m sure, it will take longer than some would like to have it, but it is happening.

Necessary repairs are being done to the south wall of the Millsop Community Center. Efforts continue to pave the Panhandle Rail Trail. Proposals have been obtained for planned improvements to Starvaggi Pool, although final decisions will still take some time to make.

Weirton Council set aside $1.5 million to assist with some of these projects.

The plans for Marland Heights Park, according to architects involved, would cost between $1.5 and $2 million with the current configuration. So, it’s possible, a lot of what has been suggested isn’t going to happen because of the cost, or perhaps it is done in a phased approach, with individual aspects tackled as funding becomes available.

Much of the proposal was included in my coverage appearing in our Friday edition, but for a refresher, there would be renovations planned for two of the three existing pavilions (those two located along the eastern edge of the park) with the third pavilion taken down and replaced with a more all-weather facility in the center of the park.

There also are improvements proposed for the existing playground, an expansion of the miniature golf course, the installation of a splash pad which would be convertible to a playground in the cooler months, updates to the tennis courts, a new pickleball court, updates to the volleyball court (which, honestly, I forgot was even there), the relocation of the basketball court, a memorial to the history of Margaret Manson Weir Memorial Pool and the possibility of a dog park on land across from the main park which currently is owned by another entity.

At residents’ suggestion, the Park Board is planning to organize a survey in order to obtain more insight. It also was suggested to the board that it hold its next meeting at Marland Heights Park in the evening, with the hope more concerned citizens could learn about the park’s potential overhaul.

It does make sense to offer such a presentation at a later time. Thursday’s meeting was held at noon instead of the board’s usual 8 a.m., but, realistically, neither time works for a lot of Weirton’s residents who would have an interest in the topic.

I know the 30 or so residents who were in attendance will relay their thoughts to their friends and neighbors, but it’s also better for everyone to see something like this for themselves.

Make no mistake, this project, whatever form it takes, will involve a lengthy process. It is going to require patience and understanding.

It is going to take cooperation from the Park Board, City Council and many others in the community, and possibly the counties and state.

It is going to require open communication from everyone involved and interested.

This is an effort to build for the future of Weirton and surrounding communities. Recreation is a key component in growth, and it can’t be neglected if we are going to thrive.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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