Parks and Rec Commission Wants Ideas for Rail-Trail Park
'Community discussion to be held at Craig Civic Center
by Theresa Marthey
STAFF WRITER
KINGWOOD - The Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission (PCPaRC) is giving county residents a chance to let the commission know what they would like to see at the West Virginia Northern Trail-Head Park Community Discussion on April 28. "We are asking the public to share their ideas on potential park amenities and uses," PCPaRC Member Sara Saurino said. "While it will be the entrance to the rail trail, it will also be a park available for use by the public."
The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. at the Craig Civic Center, will include a brief tour of the proposed park facility.
"We will have transportation to get people to and front the site," Saurino said. "We are having the event at the Civic Center because we can't be sure of the weather, and depending on the turnout, there may not be enough room for the public to park."
The trailhead park is located on Sisler Street beginning at the site of the former Kern Valley Railroad that includes the century-old water tower and former rail-car maintenance facility.
"We have a clean slate down there at the trail-head park," PCPaRC President Lynn Housner said. "We want ideas and opinions from the public as to what they would like to see."
The trail will be limited to pedestrian/walking only with no motorized vehicles or horseback riding will be permitted.
"We looked into also making it into a horseback riding trail. However the trail doesn't meet the requirements," Saurino said. "The width needed is not there, and there is too much of a topography change." Currently the PCPaRC has funding for the first stage to construct and pave the two miles of the trail that includes a switch-back of approximately one mile that leads to the Craig Civic Center and another mile of the trail down towards Tunnelton. "We hope to have that go out to bid shortly," Housner said. "We want to have that done by late summer, early fall."
The remaining eight miles of trail will be constructed in stages as funding becomes available. Currently, those eight miles are 'passable,' but it is not recommended for anyone to use it.
"There are many places where the trail is rough and have been wrecked due to storms and storm run off," Saurino said. "We don't recommend anyone use it."
The group would love to see people from all over the county at these meetings, not just Kingwood and Tunnelton residents.
PCPaRC is also planning on having a meeting in Tunnelton about the rail trail, also scheduled tenatively for Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. in the Tunnelton Volunteer Fire Department hall.
"We want to get their ideas their for the trail also," Saurino said.
"This trail is for all residents use, not just those in Kingwood."
Saurino said the fiist step after the community discussions are to design plans for the park, but that takes funding, and PCPaRC is applying for grants to aid in funding all aspects of the trail, including design and construction.
"We applied last year to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust for funding," Saurino said. "Our grant request was denied, but we will reapply this year."
The park will be approximately five acres, and in addition to community ideas, the PCPaRC is hoping to place fitness stations, picnic areas and a pavilion for group activities.
PCPaRC and the Friends of Cheat announced the purchase of 10 miles of the former railroad in April 2015 for $110,000.'
by Theresa Marthey
STAFF WRITER
KINGWOOD - The Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission (PCPaRC) is giving county residents a chance to let the commission know what they would like to see at the West Virginia Northern Trail-Head Park Community Discussion on April 28. "We are asking the public to share their ideas on potential park amenities and uses," PCPaRC Member Sara Saurino said. "While it will be the entrance to the rail trail, it will also be a park available for use by the public."
The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. at the Craig Civic Center, will include a brief tour of the proposed park facility.
"We will have transportation to get people to and front the site," Saurino said. "We are having the event at the Civic Center because we can't be sure of the weather, and depending on the turnout, there may not be enough room for the public to park."
The trailhead park is located on Sisler Street beginning at the site of the former Kern Valley Railroad that includes the century-old water tower and former rail-car maintenance facility.
"We have a clean slate down there at the trail-head park," PCPaRC President Lynn Housner said. "We want ideas and opinions from the public as to what they would like to see."
The trail will be limited to pedestrian/walking only with no motorized vehicles or horseback riding will be permitted.
"We looked into also making it into a horseback riding trail. However the trail doesn't meet the requirements," Saurino said. "The width needed is not there, and there is too much of a topography change." Currently the PCPaRC has funding for the first stage to construct and pave the two miles of the trail that includes a switch-back of approximately one mile that leads to the Craig Civic Center and another mile of the trail down towards Tunnelton. "We hope to have that go out to bid shortly," Housner said. "We want to have that done by late summer, early fall."
The remaining eight miles of trail will be constructed in stages as funding becomes available. Currently, those eight miles are 'passable,' but it is not recommended for anyone to use it.
"There are many places where the trail is rough and have been wrecked due to storms and storm run off," Saurino said. "We don't recommend anyone use it."
The group would love to see people from all over the county at these meetings, not just Kingwood and Tunnelton residents.
PCPaRC is also planning on having a meeting in Tunnelton about the rail trail, also scheduled tenatively for Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. in the Tunnelton Volunteer Fire Department hall.
"We want to get their ideas their for the trail also," Saurino said.
"This trail is for all residents use, not just those in Kingwood."
Saurino said the fiist step after the community discussions are to design plans for the park, but that takes funding, and PCPaRC is applying for grants to aid in funding all aspects of the trail, including design and construction.
"We applied last year to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust for funding," Saurino said. "Our grant request was denied, but we will reapply this year."
The park will be approximately five acres, and in addition to community ideas, the PCPaRC is hoping to place fitness stations, picnic areas and a pavilion for group activities.
PCPaRC and the Friends of Cheat announced the purchase of 10 miles of the former railroad in April 2015 for $110,000.'