Morgan Co. approves ball fields, skate park

October 19, 2007|By TRISH RUDDER

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.VA. ? The expansion of several recreational facilities on Morgan County-owned properties was unanimously approved Friday by the Morgan County Commission.

The Morgan County Parks and Recreation plan includes a new skate park built in Berkeley Springs at Harmison Field.

Bruce Beadenkopf, acting director of Morgan County Parks and Recreation, and Kenny Mason, president of the department, presented the plan for the properties, which includes:

· The 10-acre property on U.S. 522 south across from Morgan County Field, the current ball-field complex, will be developed into three or four multipurpose football and soccer fields.

The project includes a building for restrooms, storage and concessions, a walking track around the fields, fencing and lighting around the complex, and parking.

· The southeast corner of the 16-acre property on U.S. 522 south of the ball-field complex will be developed into a multipurpose softball field.

A building is planned for restrooms, storage and concessions. Also planned are drainage and sprinkler systems, a backstop, and perimeter fencing and tree lines as a barrier to U.S. 522.

· The men's league field at the current ball-field complex will be converted into a Little League field, and the men's league will move to the southeast corner of the 16 acres.

Beadenkopf said many youths are playing ball in the area, and more soccer fields are needed. As many as "400 to 500 kids are members of the soccer leagues," he said.

· Mason said Harmison Field currently is used for T-Ball, Little League and soccer, and those activities would be moved to a new field first before the one-acre skate park can be built.

"Harmison Field will be turned into the skate park with in-town service for kids and will help the Boys & Girls Club, and they will use it," Beadenkopf said.

Seven fields will be available when the projects are complete, Mason said.

Commission President Glen R. Stotler said the commission will develop the sites through grant funding. Beadenkopf said grants and in-kind donations will provide funding to develop the fields.

The commission also approved $8,000 to build the softball concession stand's concrete pad and deck walkway around the stand to the pavilion so it can be accessible for public use.

Mason said it will be ready next spring when the season opens.

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