Letters to the editor

Letter to the Editor: Proposed ‘event center’ and historic City Park

Is it me, or has the intended use of the proposed Parkersburg "City Park" recreation center changed? Or has only the rhetoric of the project changed, not the scope, to push the project forward? What are your thoughts?

The Parkersburg News and Sentinel article (March 29, 2023) states "Mayor Tom Joyce said it could play host to events like car and boat shows." These trade show-type events could require large tractor and trailer vehicular traffic through "City Park." Now the rhetoric discusses smaller events. This is confusing to me and perhaps to others as well. The recent article in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel (Sept. 3, 2023) states that "The intent of this space or this building is not to be a civic center," Joyce said. "It's intended to be a community building that could be used for a myriad of things," including to supplement events already held in the park. What is the real intent and purpose of the project? A community building is vastly different than a venue to host car and boat shows. Again, large commercial events require large truck traffic through "City Park" and the nearby residential areas.

Originally, there was a discussion about restoring the City Park Pavilion. Is that still on the table? Why not? Regarding this The Parkersburg News and Sentinel article (March 29, 2023) states "If that facility is that important to the community, we can shrink the size" of the new one to put funds toward renovating the pavilion, Taylor said.

Now the Sept. 3, 2023, newspaper article gives a different narrative. "The study said, "renovation or expansion of this existing space could be financially infeasible as it pertains to the scope of this project." Can we listen to the Parkersburg citizens for their needs and concerns and not for the agendas of community leaders? What is the scope and intent of this project?

Many cities and communities respect their historic landmarks. The swimming pool, pavilion, concession building (Parkersburg Police Department), and the band shell are historic elements of "City Park" and Parkersburg. Virtually every Parkersburg resident alive today has fond memories of these historic buildings. The recent renovations to the baseball field, the new pickleball courts, and updates to the tennis courts exemplify what our City Park is. A place for recreation, picnics, and places to spend quiet time with your family.

I've been coming to City Park for as long as I can remember. As a little boy, our family picnics were held there. My family recently surprised me with a 70th birthday celebration at "City Park." My twin daughters learned to ride their first bicycles at "City Park" well over 40 years ago. Where did I go to ride my bicycle for the first time after my heart attack five years ago, "City Park."

I hope the citizens of Parkersburg reach out to the Mayor and city council to voice their desire to keep "City Park" for what it has been for generations, a rare intercity wooded and peaceful city space. As a lifelong resident of Parkersburg, I am all in for improvements to our city, community, and the Mid-Ohio Valley. The type of venue that is being proposed at "City Park" must be located in a place easier to access for commercial venues and not intrusive to "City Park." The amount of funds discussed for this project is huge. Please find the right location that can be expanded in the future if needed and not destroy "City Park" because cash is burning a hole in our pockets. Certainly, we don't need additional traffic, especially commercial traffic in a residential area and in "City Park."

If we don't start now preserving Parkersburg's landmarks they will be gone for future generations. Of course, we can always place images of them on the floodwall where they will fade away in time and be gone by the next generation. We have a wonderful "City Park" that should be preserved for our grandchildren and their children. Building the event center or whatever city leaders have in mind for "City Park," and building this structure where it is proposed, will sadly cut the "heart" out of "City Park" and forever change the fabric of our beloved "City Park."

Patrick Wentzel

Parkersburg