STAR CITY — Town Council was updated this week on the Edith Barill Riverfront Park and Trail revitalization project.
Councilors also learned Morgantown North Rotary wants to continue enhancing the park.
Mary Wimmer of the Morgantown North Rotary (MNR) club, came before council and said she had “three quick things” to update them on in regard to ongoing restoration efforts.
“Dave Holtzer and his twin boys … volunteered their services to put in a brand-new kiosk down at the VanVoorhis landing, near the kayak launch,” she said.
The kiosk, Wimmer said, was bought through a grant provided by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Stream Partners program. Wimmer had a reconditioned Mon River Water Trail map to present to the council.
Wimmer also shared that Phillip Davis, a member of Star City’s sanitation/recycling and street/paving committees, repaired the gang plank at the VanVoorhis landing.
“[The gang plank] was bouncing and stuff … but now we’re in really good shape down at the VanVoorhis landing, and we’re ready to go,” Wimmer said.
Additionally, she said the revitalization team is installing benches throughout the Morgantown area and along the Monongahela River. MNR had already built and installed benches along the trail leading from the riverfront park.
“We’ve put in 36 so far,” Wimmer said. Newer bench locations include Suncrest Elementary School, Sundale Rehabilitation and Long Term Care and Mason-Dixon Park. She said benches also are being replaced at West Virginia University’s Core Arboretum.
Wimmer asked Star City Council for permission to add benches to Edith Barill Riverfront Park.
“What I would like to do tonight is just say, ‘Hey, can we do this for Edith Barill Park?’ Does that sound cool?”
Wimmer said the addition of benches to the park would not come at the expense of Star City; rather, Wimmer said, “people who care about the park will buy the [benches], and then we’ll install them.”
Those interested in purchasing benches can also purchase plaques for those benches at an additional cost.
Council was unable to vote this week on Wimmer’s proposition, since a motion had not been placed on the meeting’s agenda. However, Star City Mayor Herman Reid and council member Emma Luzader applauded Wimmer’s passion and continued dedication to the revitalization of the park.
“It’s a great idea,” Reid said.
By Olivia Murray
For The Dominion Post
TWEET @DominionPostWV
